Israel's Shani Films, Switzerland's Monopole Pathe and Taiwan's Crown Films have been the first to sign on for Manderlay, Lars von Trier's next project as director after Cannes competition contender Dogville. It will most likely also star Nicole Kidman.

Manderlay is the second instalment in the Danish maverick's new trilogy U, S and A, and is said to be set in the American South and deal with slavery. The film will most likely be shot in the same style as Dogville, which means everything is shot on one soundstage resembling filmed theatre.

Trust Film Sales have only presented the Manderlay script to the backers of Dogville, which means that German, UK and US buyers have to wait to have a look at the director's upcoming film until they have seen Dogville on Monday and made their bid for it.

Shani also took rights to the Trier-scripted Dear Wendy, which will be directed by Thomas Vinterberg and set to shoot from late fall this year.