On the eve of the AFM,pan-European buying group Indie Circle has picked up its highest-profile filmto date. It snapped up multi-territory rights to Pobby & Dingan, thefantasy drama directed by The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo.

The picture is handled by UKsales and finance outfit Renaissance Films which also struck deals with IconFilm Distribution (Australia and New Zealand), Gaga Communications (Japan),Odeon (Greece), Shani Films/Lev Cinemas (Israel), Phars Film Co (Middle East).

Indie Circle, which is based inParis, is backed by A Film (The Netherlands), Cineart (Belgium), Frenetic Films(Switzerland), Haut et Court (France) and Lucky Red (Italy) and bought rightsin all five territories.

The group, which was formedsome two years ago, previously bought titles including Osama and IciarBollain's Take My Eyes (Te Doy Mis Ojos).

Set in a mining town inAustralia, Pobby & Dingan is the story of the disappearance of anine-year-old girl's invisible friends and is told through the eyes of thegirl's older brother. It stars Vince Colosimo, star of Walking On Water,Lantana and Chopper, as the children's father. It was adapted forthe screen by Cattaneo, Ben Rice and Phil Trail from Rice's hit novel of thesame title. The book was previously adapted for the radio by the BBC.

An Academy Films and Sherman Pictures production, thefilm is a UK-Australia co-production, produced by Lizie Gower (Birth),Nick Morris (Birth) and Emile Sherman (Rabbit Proof Fence) withfinance from BBC Films, the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund and the SouthAustrlia Film Corporation. BBC Films holds all UK rights.