D Films has taken all the Canadian rights to Roller Town, the feature film debut of Halifax comedy troupe Picnicface.

Andrew Bush, a multi-hyphenate who had a hand in most of the troupe’s many online shorts, will direct the picture this summer in Halifax, working from a script co-written by himself and troupemates Mark Little and Scott Vrooman. Bush, who also writes for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, will produce with Bill Niven of Bad Astronaut and shortsmaker Jay Dahl (Sex! With Hot Robots, There Are Monsters).

The story follows a trio of friends in the ’80s who hope to prevent their roller rink from turning into a video arcade.

The eight-person troupe headlines major fests from Vancouver to San Francisco, has opened for such talents as David Cross, and has garnered an online following of some 45 million views for its 30-plus shorts.

‘[Picnicface’s ] brand of irreverent, unconventional comedy has tremendous potential at the box office and at other ancillary markets,’ said D Films president of acquisitions Tony Cianciotta in a statement.

Cianciotta brokered the deal for D Film with Niven. Picnicface is repped by United Talent Agency.

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Photo: Scott Munn