David Mamet's martial arts drama Redbelt will have its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival and also serve as the gala premiere of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival on April 25. Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) is releasing the film in North America.

Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in the film as a Ju-jitsu instructor who refuses to compete in professional bouts but who is forced to conspire in a prize fight after becoming involved in the film industry. Tim Allen, Emily Mortimer and Alice Braga co-star.

'We are pleased to be the Gala Premiere of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. ESPN is the right fit for the world of mixed martial arts that David Mamet has brought to the big screen,' said SPC co-president Michael Barker.

The Tribeca Film Festival runs from April23 to May 4. Redbelt opens in the US on May 2.