Cornerstone acquires ‘The Arrival’ starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Archie Madekwe, Joanna Scanlan and Alex Descas

Cornerstone Films has acquired sales rights to The Arrival, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Archie Madekwe, Joanna Scanlan and Alex Descas, directed by Olivier award-winning UK theatre director Bijan Sheibani.

Cornerstone will launch sales at next month’s American Film Market (AFM).

The project is now in post-production following a London shoot this summer. The Arrival is based on Sheibani’s play of the same name, and depicts identity, obsession and betrayal, charting the reunion of two long-lost brothers, Raheem, played by Madekwe, and Tom, played by Ben-Adir, in adulthood. Tom, the elder of the two, was given up for adoption as an infant.

The UK feature was developed with Film4 alongside DMC Film and House Productions, who have co-produced the film. Film4 and the BFI have co-financed the project.

Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell and Theo Barrowclough produce for House, while Michael Fassbender, Daniel Emmerson and Conor McCaughan produce for DMC Film. Nell Green is also a producer on the project. David Kimbangi is executive producer for Film4 and Ama Ampadu for the BFI. 

Sheibani has directed plays including Till The Stars Come Down for the National Theatre, and wrote several episodes of One Day  for Netflix. 

• Sky restructures Original Film division to focus on acquisitions