Metrodome Distribution has acquired an all rights deal for the UK and Ireland from HandMade Films International to Kari Skogland's Fifty Dead Men Walking, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Metrodome's Peter Urie struck the deal with HandMade's Guy Collins following robust interest from buyers after the world premiere. The film subsequently won the jury prize at the Vancouver Film Festival.

The film is based on Martin McGartland's true-life account of his mission as a police mole within the IRA. McGartland is believed to have saved numerous lives by thwarting IRA operations and remains in hiding to this day.

Jim Sturgess stars as McGartland alongside Ben Kingsley, Kevin Zegers, Natalie Press and Rose McGowan. Metrodome plans a March 2009 release. William Morris is handling North American rights.

Handmade Films produced Fifty Dead Men Walking in association with Future Films and Canada's Brightlight Pictures with support from Northern Ireland Screen and Telefilm, Canada.

HandMade has closed sales in Australia (Village Roadshow), Scandinavia (Svensk), Germany and Austria (ARD Degeto), Spain (Festival Films), Russia (Paradise) and Benelux (EFP).

Other sales include Greece (Odeon), Portugal (Lusomundo), Brazil (Imagem Filmes), Poland (Vision), Czech Republic/Slovakia (Intersonic), Hungary (Intersonic), Former Yugoslavia (VTI), Romania (Odeon), Middle East (ECS), Turkey (Fida), and South Africa (Ster-KineKor). TVA acquired Canadian distribution rights via Brighlight during production.