MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) gets Mipcom 2006 off to a lively start with the announcement that it has secured the worldwide excluding Japan, the distribution rights to The Grand Finale, the only officially sanctioned film about the 2006 Fifa World Cup.

Directed by Michael Apted and narrated by Pierce Brosnan, The Grand Finale exhibits never before seen footage of the excitement and drama of the 2006 Tournament. It provides a film-style overview of the tournament’s most captivating moments. The announcement was made today by SPTI executive VP distribution Keith LeGoy.

Commenting on the deal, LeGoy said: "The 2006 Fifa World CupTM was a spectacular event viewed by an audience of 30 billion people around the planet. The Grand Finale captures cinematic footage of the tournament that has never before been seen, footage that truly depicts the character, stamina and strength of the world’s best players, the excitement of the games and the passionate support of the fans. The cinematic quality of The Grand Finale along with the huge appeal of football among an ever widening worldwide audience makes this an incredible property for general and sports broadcasters alike."

Also commenting, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: “We are pleased that a Hollywood studio of Sony Pictures' global relevance has acquired the distribution rights for the Official 2006 Fifa World Cup Film. Through their expertise and market relevance around the world, millions of football aficionados will gain access to a unique and exclusive film production that allows the viewer to feel part of the action and the excitement of the Fifa World Cup. I am sure that the film will rapidly become a collector's item because of its convincing and creative approach to some of the best the Fifa World Cup Final had to offer”.

The Grand Finale not only portrays the excitement of the matches played in the World Cup but also uniquely captures the emotions, excitement and tension from the initial knockout stages through to the Final.

The close-up, intimate style filming of The Grand Finale provides a compelling look at the highs and lows of the players and fans as they face the triumphs and adversities of the most beautiful game. Moreover, the film uniquely goes further than just highlighting the best moments of the tournament – it provides an inside perspective on the feelings of the players, their coaches, the fans and the officials.

Michael Apted is best known for directing the award-winning Up! series of documentaries, and his feature film credits include Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorky Park, Gorillas in the Mist, Class Action, Nell and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. The Grand Finale is produced by ECN Motion Pictures and runs approximately 100 minutes.