Madrid-based sales and production house Kevin Williams Associates (KWA) has inked a deal with Spanish pubcaster Rtve to act as the exclusive international sales agent on José Luis Garci's Oscar-nominated El abuelo (The Grandfather).

Garci's 19th-century costume drama, based on a novel by "Spain's Balzac", Benito Pérez Galdos, received a 1999 Academy Award nomination for best foreign-language film.

"El abuelo is classic arthouse. Although it's a period drama, its issues &emdash; especially the problems of old age - are highly contemporary," said KWA's president, Kevin Williams.

In a separate arrangement, KWA will also rep international rights on Ventura Pons' forceful Amic/Amat (Friend/Beloved), which received rave reviews in Spain on its domestic release in January. Pons' Caricies (Caresses) was a hit at last year's Berlinale.

Both pictures will be showing at Berlin. El abuelo will have its international premiere tomorrow (Saturday 3 February) in the European Film Market, while Amic/Amat plays in the Berlin Panorama.

Williams also acts as consultant on worldwide sales for Spanish company Sogepaq International, which has Ricardo Franco's psychological drama Lagrimas negras (Black Tears) in Panorama. John Hopewell