UK distributor and producerRedbus Pictures has acquired UK rights to low budget shark thriller OpenWater, which premiered at Sundancelast week.

Redbus bought the picturefrom Lions Gate Films and plans to release it on 300 plus prints in the latesummer or early autumn later this year.

Based on the true story oftwo married scuba divers left behind by a careless boat crew, the film focuseson the shark-infested journey that followed, as the drifting couple face theirmost primitive fears as they fiercely struggle to survive.

Rebus co-chief Zygi Kamasabilled the film as Blair Witchmeets Jaws, and said he thought itwould play to a wider and older audience than a traditional slasher horrorfilm.

"We're delighted to be working with Lions Gateagain," added Kamasa. Redbus previously acquired the low budget horror CabinFever from Lions Gate, and generatedhuge returns from the film taking £1,050,000 ($1,700,000) in its firstthree days on 277 screens.

Redbus Pictures has beenstepping up its commitment to horror films ever since the success of CabinFever.

It is a co-producer on The9th Passenger with LakeshoreEntertainment. Budgeted at $10m, The 9th Passenger is to be directed by Ellory Elkayam (Eight LeggedFreaks). Written by Paul Staheli, it tells the story of eight students who arestranded on a yacht with a mysterious 9th passenger who may or may not exist.

It is also involved inanother horror co-production with Lakeshore Entertainment called Madhouse, which completed shooting in July last year inRomania.