Germany's Kinowelt Medien has struck a first-look development deal with Harvey Keitel's New York-based production outfit Goatsingers. The two-year pact is geared at producing arthouse pictures starring Keitel.

The deal was unveiled today (July 20) by Charles Finch, who represents Goatsingers through UK-based Artists Independent Network (AIN). Finch and Kinowelt co-chief Rainer Koelmel, who confirmed the deal, cited Three Seasons, in which Keitel co-starred, as a film that the actor was instrumental in getting made.

"Three Seasons was a first film with young talent," said Koelmel, who previously acquired Three Seasons from New York-based Good Machine. "This is the kind of project we want to make, and possibly even films with a higher profile."

Koelmel added that the first production to go through the deal had not yet been fixed. Keitel's recent credits include U-571 and Holy Smoke.