New Films International has acquired worldwide rights to Christopher B. Landon's Burning Palms starring an ensemble cast including Zoe Saldana, Dylan McDermott, Paz Vega and Rosamund Pike.

Burning Palms is a dark comedy that interlaces five stories set in different Los Angeles neighborhoods, where no taboo is left unexplored as each character careens toward a dark and often comic fate.

Nesim Hason, President of New Films International and New Films Cinema states, "We are excited to be distributing Burning Palms Worldwide and we are planning the US theatrical release for early 2011."

New Films International is both screening and launching sales for the film at AFM this year.

The overall deal between New Films and the producers was finalized right after the film's World Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival by Ron Gell, New Films Chief Content Officer, Oren Segal, producer of Burning Palms, and brokered by Straw Weisman.

In a comment, Gell states, "Burning Palms is a smart independent, cast-driven film that we expect will be a breakout film in the US theatrically and deliver in the International marketplace."

Producer Oren Segal states, "Burning Palms is a daring film. Writer, Director Christopher B. Landon delivered a powerful narrative, with performances from an incredibly strong cast. Burning Palms is an experience that audiences will never forget."