CelluloidDreams will handle European sales for Hou Hsiao-hsien's Cannes competition entryThree Times (pictured), the Paris company said yesterday, after striking a deal with the film's French producers Paradis Films andOrly Films.

Making his sixth trip to Cannes, the Taiwanese director returns with a lyricalexploration of love and memory. In this tryptych film, the best moments of three sets of lovers atthree points in time - 1911, 1966 and 2005 - are played out by Shu Qi and Chang Chen in eachincarnation.

Celluloid chief Hengameh Panahi said, "I have alwayswanted to handle one of Hou Hsiao-hsien's masterpieces. This is a dream cometrue. I am very grateful to Paradis for this opportunity and I'm convinced thiswill be a wonderful collaboration."

Paradis Films and Orly Films both concurred, adding,"Celluloid Dreams and Paradis Films are natural partners and we've workedtogether fruitfully in the past. They were our first choice for this greatfilm."

Who will handle rights in the rest of the world iscurrently being negotiated. Celluloid is a likely candidate.

The sales house has a powerhouse line up heading intoCannes with no less than nine films in the different sections including thein-competition opener Lemming fromDominik Moll and four others in the main competition.

The company has also announced that it will handle sales on the $12m Jindabyne from director Ray Lawrence. Lawrence's last film was thesleeper hit Lantana.

Jindabyne stars Laura Linney andGabriel Byrne in an adaptation of a Raymond Carver story.