World premieres

The Hungry Ghosts (US) opening film

Dir: Michael Imperioli

The directing debut of actor Michael Imperioli, best known for his role in The Sopranos, is an ensemble piece set in New York and stars another Sopranos alumnus, Steve Schirripa. Produced by Cicala Filmworks, the New York-based outfit run by Stefan Schaefer and Diane Crespo.

Int'l sales: Cicala Filmworks, (1) 917 364 7240, stefan@cicalafilmworks.com

Dogging: A Love Story (UK)

Dir: Simon Ellis

Award-winning short-film director Simon Ellis' debut feature is a heartfelt comic tale about a young man's introduction to al fresco sex, starring Luke Treadaway (who appeared in the acclaimed 2006 film Brothers Of the Head with brother Harry). Vertigo is releasing the film in the UK.

Int'l sales: Protagonist Pictures, (44) 20 7306 5155, info@protagonistpictures.com

At West Of Pluto (Can)

Dir: Henri Bernadet and Myriam Verreault

Following the lives of teens in the Quebec suburbs over a 24-hour period, this film was produced by Bernadet and Verreault with Virginie Barret. Made through Quebec-based Vostok Films, E1 subsidiary Seville Pictures is handling Canadian distribution.

Int'l sales: E1 Films International, (1) 514 841 1910 ext 234, anickp@sevillepictures.com

Schottentor (Austria)

Dir: Caspar Pfaundler

Pfaundler's second feature following Lost And Found in 2001, Schottentor looks at the longings of people who pass through an underground railway station in Vienna. Starring Gerti Drassi and Claudia Kottal.

Int'l sales: Nanook Film, (43) 6991 2034200 mail@nanookfilm.com

Wrong Rosary (Turk)

Dir: Mahmut Fazil Coskun

A man falls for his neighbour, a Catholic nurse, in this atmospheric Istanbul-set drama, which is the first Turkish film to be selected for the competition. Starring Turkish actors Nadir Saribacak, Gorkem Yeltan and Ersan Uysal.

Int'l sales: Hokus Fokus, (90) 533 810 57 97, mahmutfazil@gmail.com

Tourists (Turistas) (Chile)

Hubert Bals Fund-supported film

Dir: Alicia Scherson

Chilean director Scherson follows up her 2005 festival success Play With Tourists, with a film she describes as "a green movie about a confused woman who tries to find in the park answers about her own nature".

Int'l sales: La Ventura Ltda, (56) 2 2752015, macarena.laventura@gmail.com

The Strength Of Water (NZ-Ger)

Dir: Armagan Ballantyne

New Zealand director Ballantyne's debut feature, set in a remote Maori community, follows a boy coping with the death of his twin sister. Maori actress Nancy Brunning stars alongside local newcomers.

Int'l sales: NZ Film, (64) 4 3827680, kathleen@nzfilm.co.nz

Floating In Memory (Chi)

Hubert Bals Fund-supported film

Dir: Peng Tao

Developed with the assistance of the Sundance Institute feature film programme, Peng Tao's second movie - after Little Moth in 2007 - is about a girl's loss of innocence. Pan Xingxing and Huo Shiyu star. The director's new project, Straw Man, is being presented in CineMart.

Int'l sales: New Youth Independent Film Studio, (86) 1314 6073 140, amberwenwen@gmail.com

Rest of the competition

Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly (Indo)

Hubert Bals Fund-supported film, European premiere

Dir: Edwin

Sales: Babibutafilm, (62) 812 9405664, babibutafilm@gmail.com

Dark Harbour (Jap)

International premiere

Dir: Takatsugu Naito

Int'l sales: PIA Film Festival, (81) 332651425, international@pff.jp

No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (Tai)

International premiere

Dir: Leon Dai

Int'l sales: Fame Universal Entertainment, (852) 9 2573619, ramychoi@gmail.com

Be Calm And Count To Seven (Iran)

Hubert Bals Fund-supported film, European premiere

Dir: Ramtin Lavafipour

Int'l sales: Aftab E Honar Afarin, ramtinl@yahoo.com

Breathless (S Kor)

International premiere

Dir: Yang Ik-June

Int'l sales: Showbox/Mediaplex, (82) 2 3218 5636, sonyakim@showbox.co.kr

Be Good (Sois Sage) (Fr-Den)

European premiere

Dir: Juliette Garcias

Int'l sales: TrustNordisk, (45) 3686 8769, susan@trustnordisk.com.