UIP and UGC's feud over rental revenues from the exhibitor's Unlimited cinema pass has taken a major step towards being resolved after UGC agreed to release UIP's Shaft this Friday.

Although a law suit continues, UGC and UIP are also expected to strike agreements for the wide releases of Billy Elliot and Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps over the next three weeks.

The rapprochement follows months of dispute over film rentals between the two operations after UGC issued a writ against the distributor. UGC has not released any UIP film since the July release of Mission: Impossible 2.

"UIP is very pleased that UGC has agreed to screen UIP films," said Andrew Cripps, president and chief operating officer of UIP. "This is a step in the right direction to proper terms being agreed between the two companies."