Lionsgate isteaming up with US-based Furst Films and New Zealand effects house WetaWorkshop on the vampire horror feature Daybreakers.

Lionsgatepresident of international Nick Meyer will introduce the project to buyers herethis week and Lionsgate plans a North American release in 2007.

Australianfilmmakers Peter and Michael Spierig will direct the future-set story of aworld overrun by vampires where humans are being harvested for blood.

As blood suppliesdwindle, two vampire brothers - one a fervent human hunter and the othera sympathetic scientist with ties to the human cause - face off in astruggle to determine the fate of mankind.

Lionsgate willproduce with Furst's Sean and Bryan Furst, whose credits include The Matador and TheCooler, and Australia's Chris Brown of Pictures In Paradise.

Lionsgate'spresident of acquisitions and co-productions Peter Block and senior vicepresident of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine brought theproject to the company. They will oversee the project for Lionsgate.

Weta, renowned forits work on The Lord Of The Rings and TheChronicles Of Narnia, will create the creature and prostheticeffects.

Weta founder andOscar winner Richard Taylor will personally oversee the project.

"Peter andMichael Spierig are trailblazers in the independent horror genre," Meyersaid. "Their previous feature Undead was an internationalsensation.

"Theyimmediately impressed us with their ingenious and ground-breaking creativity,and Daybreakers is a unique and riveting script combiningaction, emotion and an innovative spin on the classic vampire story."