Nordic distributor Scanbox Entertainment, which has emerged in a strong position after a major restructure in 2001, has through its Norwegian arm signed a co-production agreement on six feature films with the prolific production outfit Paradox Spillefilm AS.

The deal will see the companies select, develop, produce and market the Euros1.5-4m projects together. Two as yet untitled projects - a romantic comedy and a comedy drama - are currently being considered.

The deal was negotiated by Scanbox's Jim Frazee, head of production and theatrical distribution in Norway, and Mads Peter Ole Olsen, executive producer, and Paradox's founders and producers Finn Gjerdrum and Torleif Hauge.

It follows their collaboration on the two films which Paradox has produced this year, and which Scanbox will release next year: Erich Hortnagl's psychological crime thriller A Cry In The Woods and Erik Poppe's drama Hawaii.Oslo.

Scanbox used to be very strong on local product in the region and distributed the first Dogme-films. The company aims to secure more Nordic product again either through co-production deals or acquisitions.

In Denmark they are backing Zeitgeist's low-budget football film We Are The Champions (working title) and are in talks with Wise Guy Productions.

Among Scanbox titles released next year are The Station Agent, The Singing Detective, Shattered Glass, Monster, Godsend, Intermission, The Great Raid and Vanity Fair.