Andreas Fallscheer's Falcom Media Group has concluded a long-term video/DVD distribution deal with the RTL Group's video subsidiary BMG/Universum Film for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The first releases - all "straight to video" - will be the US children's animation film The Little Drummer Boy, Chuck Norris actioner McCourd, Mimic 2 and the Christopher Lambert sci-fi picture Absolon.

Commenting on the co-operation with Universum Film, Fallscheer stated that he was looking forward to working with Tanja Reichert-Facilides and her team "as our projects fit perfectly in the portfolio of Universum Film (RTL) and we know that they'll be in really good hands there".

The distribution deal also covers other Falcom licensed films such as Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio - set to be theatrically released in Germany on 6 March 2003 -, the David Zucker comedy The Guest and the Oliver Kalkofe spoof Der Wixxer, to be produced by Ratpack Filmproduktion.

The theatrical releases of Falcom Media's titles will be handled in Germany by the Berlin-based agency Central Film, with 24U Media & Marketing Network looking after press, promotion, marketing and media activities.