What does a best first Canadian feature film award at the Toronto International Film Festival secure in the theatrical marketplace? Around 25 commercial cinema screens, judging by the size of the April 22 Canadian theatrical rollout for writer/director Deborah Chow’s The High Cost of Living.

Filmoption International is releasing the Montreal-shot film that stars Zach Braff and Quebec actors Isabelle Blais, Patrick Labbe and newcomer Patrick Lo from indie producer Suki Films.

To ensure the 2010 TIFF trophy, and another chunk of hardware from the 2011 Rendez-vous du cinema quebecois do not become fancy bookends, Filmoption, already handling Quebec, has worked out a service deal with KinoSmith for theater bookings in English-speaking Canada.

The High Cost of Living heads into theatres on April 22 in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, with more cities to follow.

The indie pic explores the dramatic aftermath of a hit and run car accident where a young and pregnant woman loses her child.