DEADLINE – EXCLUSIVE: Cohen Media Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to Unicorns, the cross-cultural romance that debuted at Toronto 2023 and went on to play at London, Palm Springs, Sydney and other festivals.

The film stars Ben Hardy as Luke, a single father from Essex, England, who works as an auto mechanic and is forced to rethink his sexual identity when he unexpectedly falls in love with Aysha, a British Indian drag queen living a double life, played by Jason Patel.

The film is co-directed by BAFTA-nominated El Hosaini — who made waves at Toronto with Netflix pic The Swimmers — and BIFA-winning filmmaker-actor Krishna Floyd from the latter’s script.

Pic was produced by Trudie Styler and Celine Rattray of Maven Screen Media, Bill Pohlad, Kim Roth and Christa Workman of River Road Entertainment, and Phil Herd of Chromatic Aberration.

Cohen Media Group’s Robert Aaronson, Executive Vice President of Cohen Media Group, negotiated the deal with CAA, River Road Entertainment and Maven Screen Media. CMG will release the film theatrically later this year.

Styler and Rattray said: “We look forward to North American audiences discovering this sparkling, distinctive love story. Unicorns has found the perfect partner in the Cohen Media Group.”

El Hosaini and Krishna Floyd added: “We are thrilled to have the brilliant Cohen Media Group bring our unique film to the big screens of North America. Unicorns is a cinematic ride that we can’t wait to take US and Canadian audiences on.”

Robert Aaronson stated: “Unicorns is a unique and remarkable film that beautifully blends cross-cultural themes and celebrates diversity. We are excited to share this story with North American audiences and are proud to partner with Sally and James in bringing their vision to the big screen.”

Late last year Charles Cohen’s media group hit choppy waters when the company was forced to sell multiple assets including British arthouse exhibitor and distributor Curzon to Fortress Investment Group. The company was acquired in a foreclosure auction involving multiple Cohen assets, including the Landmark cinema chain. CMG continues to acquire films for the U.S. and continues to own sales outfit HanWay Films in the UK.