Hollywood Suite has inked a deal with Mongrel Media to acquire more than 20 international film titles over the next year.

The acquired titles will air as part of Hollywood Suite’s newly unveiled programming block, World Cinema Wednesdays. The weekly initiative highlighting stand-out international films kicks off on March 3.

Titles picked up through the deal, which represents the first multi-film agreement between the two companies, include the Iranian animated feature Persepolis (2007), Academy Awards-shortlisted international feature Sun Children (2020), Bandar Band (2020), RBG (2018), A Fantastic Woman (2017), The Lobster (2014), The Lunchbox (2013), A Royal Affair (2012) and Let the Right One In (2008).

Andrew Frank, VP, sales and acquisitions at Mongrel Media said the deal made sense for both parties as international indie films are an underserved segment in the Canadian marketplace.

“With a multicultural country like Canada, there is a surprising lack of choice when it comes to the availability of foreign and independent films on streaming services,” the Mongrel exec noted in a statement.

“Persepolis is the perfect film to kick off World Cinema Wednesdays and we are doubly excited that all of the March WCW titles are directed by women,” added Sharon Stevens, VP, programming for Hollywood Suite.

Outside of this deal, Hollywood Suite will also air the following titles as part of World Cinema Wednesdays: Claire Denis’ Beau Travail (1999), Natalie Portman’s A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015), Rubaiyat Hossain’s Made in Bangladesh (2019) and Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Brussels (1975).