Canada and US-based NeoClassics Films has picked up North American, UK,Australian and South African rights from Fortissimo to Jordan's firstforeign language Oscar submission Captain Abu Raed.

Amin Matalqa's film stars Nadim Sawalha as an airport janitor whoenchants children from his poor neighbourhood who believe he is anairline pilot with tall stories of far away lands. NeoClassics plans alimited 2009 release in the US.

Jordanian company Paper & Pen Films produced with Gigapix Studiospresident David Pritchard along with Matalqa and Laith Majali.

'There is a big American audience hungry for quality films from aroundthe world and the team at NeoClassics is going to fill this void withtheir selections,' Matalqa said. 'Having seen such a strong audienceresponse to Captain Abu Raed in the Midwest and on the coasts, I thinkour strongest ally is going to be word of mouth. People want to go tothe movies for a new experience, and this is what this film provides.'

The is NeoClassics' fifth acquisition after The Black Balloon, Moscow,Belgium, Surviving Crooked Lake (formerly Portage) and St Trinian's.