THINKFilm has acquired NorthAmerican rights to Bob Smeaton's rock 'n' roll documentary Festival Express,with plans for a 2004 release.

Set in 1970, the filmcomprises rare and unseen footage from the eponymous Canadian concert andself-styled answer to Woodstock that featured such luminaries as Janis Joplin,The Band and The Grateful Dead.

Smeaton's camera follows theantics of the stars as they spend five days aboard a customised train that tookthem from Toronto to Winnipeg, stopping for several concerts along the way.

"Festival Express hasso much potential, in so many ways, for so many generations," THINKFilmpresident Jeff Sackman said in a statement. "I think that marketing anddistributing it will be a great ride for our team."

Sackman and senior vicepresident of acquisitions and business affairs Randy Manis negotiated the dealwith Hanway, who handle worldwide sales on the film.