Leading Dutch film company IdtV Film (Twin Sisters)and co-owner Anton Smit are moving into English language film-making via ajoint venture with Australian TV producers Mark and Cathy Overett.

Called New Holland Pictures, the Queensland-based jointventure is readying an Australian remake of a Dutch film called Afghan Bride(working title). The project is about 70% financed and is adapted from the 1998Dutch film Polish Bride by Australian writer/director Peter Duncan (Passion,Children Of The Revolution).

The love story with thriller elements is scheduled toshoot in Queensland in mid 2005, and tells how an unlikely romance between anAfghan woman on the run and an Australian farmer helps them regain their faithin humanity.

High Point will handle international sales and A-Filmwill handle the Netherlands release.

New Holland Pictures' goal is to make at least two filmsand one telemovie annually. About one-third of the projects are likely to havea Dutch or European connection.

"Our philosophy is to make quality programming forfilm and television at low cost, and also to be writer focussed in order tomake the stories important," said Cathy Overett. "The mission is alsoto make the company profitable," adds Mark Overett.

Also due to shoot next year, with 100% Dutch financing,is the road movie thriller Dive Under. It stars two young Dutchmen whochase each other across outback Australia. It will be in the Dutch language,although an English-language version may be shot simultaneously.

The psychological drama Kaw-Lah, about a diversegroup of backpackers who have to put aside their differences after being takenhostage by Burmese rebels in Thailand, is Cathy Overett's first outing as afeature writer and is one of several other projects in advanced development.

The Overetts have not worked on features before but haveproduced a range of television genres for several decades, most recentlyadvising on and devising formats under the 4mats banner. They will continue tomake a diverse range of television.

Smit and Hanneke Niens set up IdtV Film in theNetherlands in 1999. Its credits include Godforsaken, Family, Oscarnominee Twin Sisters and Cloaca.