FALLING FOR FIGARO

WestEnd Films has sold Ben Lewin’s romantic comedy Falling For Figaro to a raft of distributors across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, following IFC Films recent acquisition of US rights.

The UK-based sales company has closed deals for Japan (Happinet), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Poland (Ale Kino+ Movie Channel, Canal+ Poland Group), South Korea (Entermode), the Middle East (Phoenicia Pictures), Taiwan (Central Motion Picture Corporation), Canada (Pacific Northwest Pictures) and airlines (Cinesky).

The film, set in the fierce world of competitive opera singing, is led by Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald, whose credits include Dumplin’ and Patti Cake$. The cast also includes Hugh Skinner, Gary Lewis, Shazad Latif, and Rebecca Benson.

Falling For Figaro was first screened to buyers in September as one of 30 titles selected for Toronto’s Industry Selects programme.

It has previously been picked up for the UK (Entertainment Film Distributors), Spain (Twelve Oaks), Benelux (Splendid), China (Huanxi Media Group), Israel (United King), former Yugoslavia (Investacommerce) and Australia, New Zealand (Umbrella Entertainment).

Australian director Lewin, whose 2012 film The Sessions won audience awards at Sundance and San Sebastian, also wrote Falling For Figaro with Allen Palmer.

The Australia-UK co-production is produced by Philip Wade, Judi Levine and Arabella Page Croft. The executive producers are Timothy White and John Wade serve. In association with Wade Brothers Films, the film was backed by Screen Australia. Screen Scotland and Film Victoria.