Best of Youthdirector Marco Tullio Giordana's next picture will be a $7m-$10mFrench-language adaptation of cult author Amelie Northomb's period novel, Mercure.'

'The story centres on a girl disfigured by abomb who mustn't see the reflection' of her own face

Fabrizio 'Mosca of Rome-based Titti Film willproduce, having previously worked with the director on The' HundredSteps.

The film is planned to be a French/Japaneseco-production - two countries where' the Italian director has a strongfollowing.''

Belgian writer Northomb also has a following in hercountry of birth, Japan. But Mosca says he is also interested in the experience'of working with a Japanese producer.''

"I think it's very important to work with internationalpartners whose' industries work in a different way from ours," hesays.''

Giordana's picture, whose cast will include two Frenchstars, is' planned for 2007.''

Meanwhile, Mosca is also lining up a $2.5m (2m Euros)drama called Return To 'Haifa, abreakthrough Israeli-Palestinian film about Middle East' tensions,directed by Tawfik Abu Wael (Atash).'

The story follows the return of a Palestinian couple,who were forced to flee in 1948 leaving behind a baby son who is brought up byIsraelis in their former home.

The film is a Palestinian-Israeli-Italianco-production, with Tel'Aviv-based Lama and has support from Les' Ateliersdu Cinema. It is scheduled to shoot in Palestine at the end of2006.''

Mosca's slate also includes Manaramania, a $8 Mediaset TV series' of 15 35 erotic films by feature directors, inspired by 'cultartist Milo Manara's work.''

The series will be directed by five Italian and fiveSpanish 'filmmakers, and five from a third co-production country. Manaramania' will go into production next year.