Hong Kong-Dutch sales powerhouse Fortissimo has clinched a string of pre-market sales on its roster of festival films.

The deals come as Fortissimo has just secured a major coup in selling last year's Cannes competition film Devils On The Doorstep to Japan's Gaga Films. The film from mainland Chinese director Jiang Wen had attracted considerable critical acclaim in Japan, but was always going to be a tough commercial prospect in the territory since it demonised the Japanese army and people for their role in occupying Chinese territory.

Hou Hsiao Hsien's Millennium Mambo, which appears in this year's competition, was this week sold to Frenetic for Switzerland. Last week it secured releases in Belgium through Les Films de l'Elysees, Classic for Italy, and Prooptiki for Greece.

Tsai Ming Liang's What Time Is It There' which also screens in competition, was sold to Cine Libre for Belgium, Film Museum for The Netherlands and Suncent for Japan.

Tears of The Black Tiger, a Thai Western by first time director Wisit Sasanatieng which appears in Un Certain Regard, has been picked up by Shani Films for Israel, Frenetic for Switzerland, Cine Libre for Belgium and Blanco Y Traviesa for Venezuela. In the preceding week it was bought by Pathe Distribution for the UK and Dendy Films for Australia and New Zealand. Directors' Fortnight picture Hush! was also sold to Edko for Hong Kong.

Among Fortissimo's older titles Pierre-Paul Renders' Thomas In Love was sold to Amanda Films for Spain; The Iron Ladies, a Thai film about a trans-sexual volleyball team was sold to France's Mediatop, while the UK's ICA secured Welcome Back Mr McDonald.