“An Education” director Lone Scherfig will close out the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with her latest film, “Their Finest,” on February 11, and about a month later the WWII-set dramedy will hit U.S. theaters. Variety reports that EuropaCorp has set a March 24 theatrical release for the film, starring Gemma Arterton (“Quantum of Solace”) and Sam Claflin (“Me Before You,” “The Hunger Games” franchise).

“Their Finest” takes place in Great Britain in 1940, and centers on Catrin (Arterton), a young woman who gets hired to write dialogue for female characters in propaganda films. The pictures are being produced by the British Ministry in an effort to boost Brits’ spirits during the trying, depressing war. Catrin’s husband (Jack Huston, “Boardwalk Empire”) is an artist who values his career above hers, despite the fact that she’s clearly blossoming and gaining confidence through the job. She makes her mark in a male-dominated industry, providing valuable contributions to the productions she works on. Catrin’s talents don’t go unnoticed: She forms special bonds with a fellow writer (Claflin) and an aging, egomaniacal actor (Bill Nighy, “Love Actually”) on the set of a movie based on the Battle of Dunkirk.

“Their Finest” made its world premiere at TIFF. The film is based on “Their Finest Hour and a Half,” Lissa Evans’ 2010 novel. The book was adapted for the screen by Gaby Chiappe (“EastEnders”).

The film is produced by Amanda Posey, Finola Dwyer, Elizabeth Karlsen, and Stephen Woolley.

“An Education” was nominated for Best Picture at the 2010 Academy Awards. Scherfig’s other credits include “The Riot Club,” “One Day,” and “Just Like Home.”