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Film News: U.K. distributor’s haul includes films by Besson, Malick —
U.K. distrib Optimum Releasing, which is owned by pan-European film group StudioCanal, announced Thursday that it had acquired nine pics covering a wide variety of genres and styles.

Film News: Event will unspool 33 films from five countries — Five countries will be repped at the Indian Film Festival Los Angeles, running April 20-25, with 33 films including the world preem of docu “Woman Rebel” from Kiran Deol.

Film News: Sidebar highlights films from lesser known helmers — French helmer-scribe Claire Denis will head Un Certain Regard jury at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, it was announced today.

Film News: Art director, production designer worked on ‘American Hero’ —
John Jefferies Sr., art director and production designer on such series as “The Greatest American Hero” and films like “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” died March 25 in Sherman Oaks, Calif., due to complications from lung cancer. He was 74.

Film News: Co. raises money through share placement — International film sales and financing group Intandem Films has restructured its finances to repay loans and fund expansion.

Film News: Co. raises money through share placement — International film sales and financing group Intandem Films has restructured its finances to repay loans and fund expansion.

Film News: Mexico’s ‘Asalto’ takes Cinecinema Award — Colombian helmer Carlos Cesar Arbelaez’s long-in-the-works “Los colores de la montana” has won the Films in Progress Toulouse award.

Film News: Pic is directed by Handfield, stars Presley — Emmett/Furla Films and Freedom Films are teaming to produce football drama “Touchback,” starring Brian Presley and directed by Don Handfield.

Film News: Local animated pics top Japanese B.O. — Family-themed films enchanted overseas auds over the March 19-21 weekend, led by Disney’s 3D powerhouse “Alice in Wonderland,” with with profitable local fare added to the overseas mix.

Film News: Pic proves power of producing pair Missonnier and Delbosc — The fact that Fidelite Films’ Marc Missonnier and Olivier Delbosc snagged the adaptation rights for Europe’s biggest movie franchise, Asterix — beating former Asterix producer-director Thomas Langmann to the chase — exemplifies how powerful the producing pair has become.