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Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the romantic comedy, "Kissing Jessica Stein." The deal was negotiated by Fox Searchlight's Executive Vice President, Joseph de Marco, and John Sloss of the indie financing company Cinetic Media. Hillary Field in Fox Searchlight acquisitions was instrumental in bringing in the project.

"Kissing Jessica Stein" stars Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen who adapted the script from their play "Lipschtick." Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, "Kissing Jessica Stein" took the audience award for best film and a special jury prize for writing and acting at the IFP/West Los Angeles International Film Festival. Eden Wurmfeld and Brad Zions produced the film with Juergensen and Westfeldt serving as co-producers.

The film is a fresh take on the subject of sex and the single girl. Jessica, a sensitive but neurotic New York journalist, is at the end of her emotional rope. Frustrated by a nightmarish dating spree, Jessica resorts to the classifieds to find love. On a daring whim, she decides to answer an intriguing ad even though it is in the "Women Seeking Women" section.

"Kissing Jessica Stein" is a modern, romantic comedy that breaks all rules -- it blurs the lines between friendship and romantic love, and finds the funny, surprising and ultimately poignant overlap between the two. "The film deals with the ups and downs of a relationship from a unique perspective in a provocative, emotional and humorous way. We are confident that all the world will fall in love with Jessica Stein as we have," commented Fox Searchlight President, Peter Rice.

Fox Searchlight anticipates releasing "Kissing Jessica Stein" in the Spring of 2002.

SOURCE: Fox Searchlight Pictures