Leading up to its North American premiere at Toronto Film Festival , Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Icelandic film “When the Light Breaks” has been picked up by international distributors. The critically acclaimed movie, which had its world premiere at Cannes, is being represented by Paris-based The Party Film Sales .

Shot in 16mm, the movie stars Elín Hall (“Let Me Fall”) as Una, whom Rúnarsson previously described in an interview with Variety as an “outsider in the events that unfold around her, even though she is in fact at their center.” It marks Rúnarsson’s fourth feature. He broke through internationally in 2008 with his Oscar-nominated short “Two Birds.” He went on to helm the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2011 entry “Volcano,” San Sebastian 2015 winner “Sparrows “ and 2019 Valladolid and Lübeck fest winner “Echo.”

Following its debut at Cannes and screenings at Karlovy Vary and Munich FilmFest, The Party Film Sales secured theatrical distribution deals for “When the Light Breaks” in Japan (Bitters End), U.K. and Ireland (Modern Films), Germany and Austria (Neue Visionen), Taiwan (Proview Entertainment), Australia and New Zealand (Palace Films), Portugal (Nitrato), Sweden (Njuta), China (Hugoeast), Brazil (Imovision), Czech Republic & Slovakia (Vertigo), India (Bigtree Entertainment), and Ukraine (Kiyvmusicfilm).

Prior distribution agreements were finalized in Italy (Movies Inspired), Switzerland (Xenix), Norway (Arthaus), Denmark (Ost for Paradis), Finland (Cinemanse), Hungary (Vertigo), Greece (Cinobo), Israel (New Cinema), Poland (Aurora), Turkey (Bir Film) and the Baltic region (Estofilm). The movie is set for release by Jour2fête in France, Cherry Pickers in Benelux, Zagreb Film Festival in Croatia and Sam Film in Iceland.

Rúnarsson produced the film in collaboration with Heather Millard of Iceland’s Compass Films, in co-production with local company Halibut, Holland’s Revolver, France’s Eaux Vives/Jour2Fête and Croatia’s MP Film.

The Icelandic filmmaker has stated the movie was inspired by a personal experience. “Since experiencing the loss of a friend when I was younger, I wanted to explore the emotions I felt on that day by telling a relatable story,” he shared with Variety . “Another recent loss in my life revived that desire, and the storyline became more concrete.”