Dutch distributor Cinemien has snapped up Benelux distribution rights to Salvatore Mereu's Ballo A Tre Passi, following International Week of Film Critics win at Venice.

International sales are being handled by Lucky Red, Andrea Occhipinti's Rome outfit which also produced the Sardinian director's debut feature with Gianluca Arcopinto's Pablo Distribuzione. Lucky Red will distribute the film in Italy.

Occhipinti said there is also strong interest for the film from France.

Written and directed by Mereu, Ballo A Tre Passi was filmed in Sardinian dialect, and screened in Venice with subtitles in Italian and English. The picture is divided into four episodes, representing spring, summer, winter and autumn and the four stages of life.

The cast includes Caroline Ducey (The Soul Keeper) and Michele Carboni.

Ballo A Tre Passi is the second Italian film to have been picked up for distribution by Cinemien. The Dutch distributor has also acquired Agata And The Storm, the new Silvio Soldini bittersweet comedy sold by Adriana Chiesa Enterprises.