Rialto Entertainment, the only New Zealand company that distributes films in Australia, and Australia's newest sales agent, Arclight Films, have co-acquired what they describe as one of the few buzz films from the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, namely the New York comedy Roger Dodger.

The story of a schoolboy's attempt to lose his virginity in the Big Apple, with the help of a fast-talking but emotionally stunted bachelor uncle, has a cast that includes Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossilini, Elizabeth Berkely, Jennifer Beals and Jesse Eisenberg. In Venice the film scooped two prizes including the Critic's Week best director prize for Dylan Kidd (pictured).

"We are delighted to be able to bring to local audiences this smart, hilarious film and hope this will mark the beginning of other titles with which we will look to co-operate together on," said Kelly Rogers of Rialto Entertainment and Gary Hamilton of Arclight Films in a joint statement. They intend to release the film in Australia in March.

The film was acquired from Alliance Atlantis and Artisan will be releasing the film in the US and Momentum in the UK.