WestEnd Films has struck a North American distribution deal with Samuel Goldwyn Films for the festive comedy "Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint", which will get a theatrical release in the US and Canada this Christmas. The agreement follows Signature Entertainment's earlier acquisition of UK and Ireland rights during this year's Cannes market, with the film also set for a UK theatrical release over the holiday period, underlining growing international appetite for the project.

Directed by Jack Spring and written by Chris Boyle-McQuarry, the film has a Dickensian twist: it follows reclusive model soldier painter Aubrey Flint, who is sentenced to community service at a struggling retirement home and ends up directing residents in a chaotic production of "A Christmas Carol". The ensemble cast includes John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Richard E. Grant, Adjoa Andoh and Jim Broadbent, among others. Beyond North America and the UK, WestEnd has also sold the film to Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Israel, with further international sales expected to continue at the Toronto Film Festival.