PierreMenahem's Scalpel Films has picked up international sales rights to the firstfilm from Paraguay in more than three decades, the Cannes title Hamaca Paraguaya.

And theinternational campaign has kicked off in advance of the film's Un CertainRegard screening with ID Distribution taking French rights.

Directedby first-timer (and thus Camera D'Or contender) Paz Encina, Hamaca Paraguayawas produced by Marianne Slot (France), Ilse Hughan (Netherlands) and LitaStantic (Argentina).

Set in the1930s during the war between Paraguay and Bolivia, it follows a couple as theywait for the return of their son who has gone to the front.

Budgetedat less than $1m. is the first of the City of Vienna's New Crowned Hope (NCH)projects to have an international launch.

The NCHproject comprises six films executive produced by Simon Field and KeithGriffiths of London's Illumination Films with financing initiated by the City of Vienna Department For Cultural Affairs through the WeinerFestwochen.

Theywill be shown at the NCH festival in Vienna this November to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth.

Otherdirectors in the project include Tsai Ming-liang with Dark Circle and Apichatpong Weerasethakul'sIntimacy.