Jean-Pierre Améris (Photo by Mr. Corey Boutilier for IndependentFilm.com)

(New York, May 18, 2011) Tribeca Film has acquired all US distribution rights to Romantics Anonymous, a box-office hit in France that had its international premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

The deal was concluded at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Jean-Pierre Améris directed and co-wrote the film with Philippe Blasband. The producers are Nathalie Gastaldo and Philippe Godeau. StudioCanal released the film in France, where it has taken in more than $9 million to date at the box office, and also has handled international sales.

The film tells the story of Angélique Delange (Isabelle Carré, Private Fears in Public Places), an unemployed but gifted chocolate-maker with a lifelong case of uncontrollable shyness that prevents her from properly sharing her confectionary talents. Jean-René Van Den Hugde (Benoît Poelvoorde, Coco Before Chanel) suffers from a similar case of terminal abashment and runs a fledgling chocolate company in desperate need of a new direction. When Jean-René hires Angélique as the new sales associate, the two nervous Nellies must face their deepest fears. With the chocolate business hanging in the balance, they are forced to fess up to their hidden sweet affections for each other.

Romantics Anonymous will be released in the coming months by Tribeca Film, a comprehensive distribution label operated by Tribeca Enterprises. Tribeca Film, supported by Founding Partner American Express, brings films to consumers across a range of platforms, including nationwide Video on Demand, theatrical, DVD, pay-TV and digital.

“French films have the rare ability to transcend boundaries and bring audiences together. We’re enormously pleased to have reached a deal in Cannes for this film, which has great comic moments, wonderful characters and extraordinary performances,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative officer, Tribeca Enterprises. “Romantics Anonymous is universal in its appeal and its treatment of love and romance. We look forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the U.S.”

“At Tribeca Film Festival the audience welcomed Romantics Anonymous with such warmth, when we debated after the screenings people were so connected to the humor and emotion of the film, that I am particularly happy to know the film will be distributed in the United States and this conversation with American audiences will carry on,” said Jean-Pierre Améris.

The deal was negotiated by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions for Tribeca Film, with Anna Marsh negotiating for StudioCanal.

About Tribeca Film:

Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including theatrical, video-on-demand, digital, home video and television.  It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.

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Tags: Tribeca Film Festival