Not even two months in and already it has been a busy year for Montreal-based Equinoxe Films. In the first two weeks of February, Equinoxe acquired worldwide distribution rights to the next comedy feature from the makers of Mambo Italiano and expanded its production base by acquiring Montreal prodco Lyla Films.

Mambo Italiano, released by Equinoxe, is one of Canada’s highest-grossing English-language films. Now many of its creators have gotten together again for the upcoming Quebec comedy Etoile filante. Production is set to begin in early summer and Equinoxe already has a 120-screen release planned for Dec. 3.

Mambo Italiano director Emile Gaudreault and Yves Dion, who negotiated sales of Mambo, came up with the original idea for Etoile. The feature will be produced by Denise Robert and Daniel Louis of Montreal prodco Cinemaginaire, who produced Les Invasions barbares and coproduced on Mambo.

Working with director Yves Desgagne, star Claudine Mercier will play each of the four leading roles. Etoile filante is the story of four young women who dream of becoming overnight stars by winning a TV talent contest, ‘Idole Instantanee 2.’

In addition to distributing Etoile, Equinoxe will produce three features as a result of acquiring a majority interest in Lyla. Lyla’s former head, Lyse Lafontaine, becomes VP of the newly created Equinoxe Productions, with Equinoxe senior VP and COO Michael Mosca overseeing operations. The new division’s 2004 production slate will include Un Dimanche A Kigali (A Sunday by the Pool in Kigali), adapted from Gil Courtemanche’s best-selling novel, and two Canada/U.K. coproductions: Three Bad Men and See How We Are.

-www.equinoxefilms.com