Entertainment One has signed a multi-territory all-rights deal with Summit Entertainment in L.A., which will see the aggressive Toronto shop and its offshoots handle Summit product into 2010.

Summit titles will be handled in the U.K. by Contender Films, while Seville Entertainment distributes in Canada. Both Contender and Seville were recently snapped up by Entertainment One, the formerly obscure DVD distributor that has charged into theatrical distribution with former AAC exec Patrice Théroux at the wheel.

The companies say Summit-produced titles — including recent TIFF selection In the Valley of Elah, Babel and Mr. & Mrs. Smith — will give Contender a leg up in the U.K. market.

‘The combination of Entertainment One’s public backing and their commitment to the Canadian and U.K. marketplace allows Summit the best opportunity to have our films succeed,’ said Summit co-chairmen Robert Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger in a joint statement.

Seville will distribute Summit-made films and those to which it controls the North American rights, starting with the Toronto-shot thriller P2, due for wide release on Nov. 9.

The deal was negotiated by Théroux, E1 CEO Darren Throop and Summit COO Bob Hayward.