Spanish production outfit Grupo Boca is seeking an Italian co-production partner on forthcoming thriller They're Watching Us (Nos Miran), to be directed by first-time feature director Norberto Lopez, from a script by Jorge Guerricaechevarria (Live Flesh, Common Wealth co-writer).

The film, which is scheduled to start shooting next week, will star Carmelo Gomez, Iciar Bollain, Carolina Peterson and Massimo Ghini.

Nos Miran kicks off Boca's 2001 slate, which also includes a trio of new urban comedies, the production outfit's signature genre. They include Pepa Sanchez Viezma's Divorciadas, Felix Sabroso, Dunia Ayaso's Perfecto and Nacho Machado's Una Pareja De Mentira.

Under head Cesar Benitez, Boca looks set to up its international profile with new backing from publishing and media giant Grupo Correo. Correo bought a 30% interest in the firm last November, and holds an option to take an additional 30% before January 2002.

Correo also owns a 25% share in broadcaster Telecinco, a frequent partner on Boca film and TV productions, and 17% shares in both film producer Esicma and TV producer Grupo Arbol/Globomedia.

Boca is also developing the much anticipated feature film spinoff of popular youth TV series Class Is Out (Al Salir De Clase) for an April shoot. In December the company launched an internet production division, Bocainteractiva, whose debut on-line series was visited by more than 65,000 internauts in its first five weeks.