Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired the rights to Canada/Ireland coproduction Maudie in a number of international territories, including the U.S., U.K. and Latin America.

The New York-based producer and distributor, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, also took the rights for Asia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal.

SPC negotiated the rights for the film with CAA and Mongrel International.

Starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke, Maudie is written by Newfoundland screenwriter Sherry White and tells the story of Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis. The film, directed by Aisling Walsh, premiered at Telluride before screening at TIFF ’16.

The feature is produced by Bob Cooper, Mary Young Leckie, Susan Mullen and Mary Sexton and executive produced by Heather Haldane, Hussain Amarshi, Alan Moloney, Johanna Hogan, Mark Roberts, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Ross Jacobson, Tyler Mitchell and Ed Riche.

Shooting on Maudie, which began last October, took place entirely in Newfoundland, while post-production was done in Ireland. In February 2014, the project also received financial support via Harold Greenberg Fund at the polish and packaging stage.