Spain's Sogepaq has closed a string of sales onwell-received Venice Days entry DarkBlueAlmostBlack (AzulOscuroCasiNegro) which screens in Toronto's Visions programme.

The sales, closed in Venice, were to Arsenal for Germany and Austria, Frenetic Films for Switzerland, Cineart for Benelux, Budapest Film in Hungary, Strada in Greece and Arthouse Traffic in Ukraine. The company is fielding interest in France and Italy.

The debut feature fromaward-winning short film director Daniel Sanchez Arevaloscreened to repeated applause last Monday as part of Venice Days. Yesterday itwas announced that the film had won the EuropaCinemas Label at the festival. The label is voted on by four Europa Cinemasexhibitors.

The film has had an extendedplay in Spanish theatres through distributor Alta Films after taking three topprizes at the Spanish Film Festival of Malaga in March. It has taken close to $1.1m(Euros 850,000) off 157,000 admissions.

DarkBlueAlmostBlack is about a young man forced to take over hisfather's menial job when the latter suffers a stroke, putting his own desireson hold but learning much about himself and his real objectives in themeanwhile.