UK-based distribution to production concern Metro Tartan is readying to shoot its Martin Amis adaptation London Fields after securing Charles McDougal as director.

McDougal, whose previous credits include UK TV show Queer As Folk, is to direct the project this spring in the UK. Producing duties fall to Chris Hanley, whose credits include Virgin Suicides and American Psycho, and Metro Tartan chief Hamish McAlpine, who produces through Metro Tartan's production operation Tartan Films. US-based Overseas Filmgroup is handling sales.

Tartan Films is also readying Bundy, based on the true story of serial killer Ted Bundy, for a shoot starting in April in the US. Chuck Parello, whose Ed Gein won the best film prize at Spain's Sitges festival this month, will direct. Overseas is once again handling sales, with McAlpine producing.

Additionally, Tartan Films has boarded Barstow, which will be directed by actor-director Steve Railsback and is to star Jason Priestly and Joe Pantiliano. Shooting on the thriller is scheduled from mid-January in Los Angles and Barstow. McAlpine will produce.

Metro Tartan is expected to handle UK rights on the projects through UK distributor Metro Tartan Distribution. The distribution arm has traditionally relied on pick ups - it recently acquired Cannes competitors In The Mood For Love and Faithless, plus Miike Takashi's extremist psycho-thriller Audition - but is to be fed increasingly by in-house productions as Tartan Films gears up.

Tartan Films' recent credits include Lynne Stopkewich's Suspicious River, which Australia's Beyond Films acquired for international sales prior to Cannes.