RoadsideAttractions has picked up North American rights to Jim de Seve's timelysame-sex marriage documentary Tying The Knot and plans to release it in October priorto the 2004 Presidential election.

The picture was produced by 1,049 Films and chroniclesthe last three years of the battle for legalisation waged by gays and lesbians,who are demanding the same 1,138 federal rights afforded through heterosexualmarriage.

"Gay marriage isthe most important civil rights issue of our time and has become a hot-buttontopic in this election year," Roadside co-presidents Eric d'Arbeloff and HowardCohen said in a joint statement.

"Tying TheKnot goes to the heartof the matter by portraying two long-time gay couples whose lives haveliterally been destroyed by their inability to marry legally.

"This film packsan incredible emotional wallop and no viewer, straight or gay, will beunmoved."

Cohen negotiated the deal with Ben Feldman and Sue Bodineof Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein.

This is thefourth acquisition by Roadside following Super Size Me, Walk On Water (both with Samuel Goldwyn Films) and RememberMe, My Love.