Pacific Northwest Pictures/Search Engine Films
Search Engine Films and Pacific Northwest Pictures (PNP) have jointly acquired the Canadian rights to the comedy Learning to Drive from West End Films. The Isabel Coixet-directed feature stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley and will get its Canadian theatrical release on Aug. 28, a week after its bow stateside through L.A.-based Broad Green Pictures. Penned by Sarah Kernochan, Learning to Drive is produced by Dana Friedman and Daniel Hammond of Broad Green Pictures and stars Clarkson as a writer living in Manhattan. After her husband of 20 years leaves her, she strikes up a friendship with her driving instructor, who is having marital issues of his own.

Secret Location
The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra has launched VAN Beethoven, a VR orchestral experience produced by Toronto-based interactive agency Secret Location. The VR experience, which uses Oculus technology, was shot at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. by placing cameras all around the orchestra’s members. Secret Location captured the performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. using 360 degree 3D cameras and binaural audio recording, which allows users to watch and hear the performance from several perspectives, including right in the orchestra. Starting in September, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will take the experience on a month-long tour to various communities throughout L.A. with its VAN Beethoven truck, where visitors can access Oculus headsets to view the production. Starting September, VAN Beethoven will also be available as a free app that can be downloaded from the Oculus and Samsung Gear VR app stores.

Picture Box
Picture Box Distribution has acquired several live-action and animated properties from Norwegian entertainment company Earthtree Media. Read more about the deal here.