Sacis Sacis, the leading Italian distributor of film, television, animation and multimedia product, announced the introduction of its latest feature film, the suspense thriller La sindrome di Stendhal (The Stendhal Syndrome) at AFM. Directed by Dario Argento, and starring his daughter, Asia Argento, The Stendhal Syndrome is a gruesome tale of rape and murder. The story centers around a young policewoman who is sent to Florence on a special assignment. Her life is turned upside down when she receives an anonymous telephone call from someone who invites her to an exhibition at the Uffizi gallery where she suddenly feels sucked into a painting. As Italian state-owned broadcaster RAI's international distribution arm, Sacis has expanded its scope of activities to include the international acquisitions of TV series and movies, and the organisation of major audiovisual events in Italy. Only recently, it announced strategic partnerships with such US players as Solomon Enterprises, Rysher Entertainment and DIC Entertainment.

The deal The deal, negotiated in Paris by New Line International Releasing's executive vice prsident, European supervisor, Camela Galano, covers all of New Line's upcoming releases for the next two years. "We've had a long relationship with Metropolitan and share the same independent spirit," New Line International Releasing president Rolf Mittweg commented. "We have aligned ourselves with Metropolitan based on their strength in the marketplace, product mix and market savvy." "New Line shares our vision of creating innovative films and working with inventive filmmakers," added Metropolitan Filmexport president Samuel Hadida. The announcement comes on the heels of Metropolitan's record-breaking release of seven on 31 January, which so far has grossed an unprecedented US$23million in France. Films under the agreement include Feeling Minnesota, the Bruce Willis starrer Last Man Standing, the action thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight, In Love and War and The Bells of Hell.

New Line International New Line International announced that it has finalised an output agreement with Metropolitan Film export in France.

YABADABADOO YABADABADOO Video Arte do Brazil won the 1996 AFM Freddy Award. Named after Hanna-Barbera's enduring character, Fred Flintstone, th award was created to recognise outstanding marketing efforts by one of its Hanna-Barbera worldwide distributors in their rspective territories. On the photo are Freddy Award winners Elda Coltro and Otelo Bettin Coltro, owners of Video Arte do Brasil, with Midge Barnett, vice president, distribution Turner Pictures Worldwide Distribution (TPWD) and Melanie Bartlett Sheptin, TPWD's brand marketing director.

[The Film Festivals Server ]