TRP Prodcutions, the production venture set up last year by former CLT/Ufa sales chief Heinz Thym and writer-director Stewart Raffill, has partnered with UK-based sales agency IAC Film on its debut picture, the tentatively titled $17 million prehistoric adventure The Mammoth Hunters.

The effects-laden family film, which is to recreate the mammoths, woolly rhinos and sabre toothed tigers of the Ice Age, is to start shooting in September in Canada and France. Raffill, whose credits, include Grizzly Falls, The New Swiss Family Robinson and Adventures Of The Wilderness Family, is to direct.

Thym will produce the story of a cave boy's journey to the land of the Neanderthals, with TRP's Diane Kirman co-producing. Casting is to be announced.

"We found in Guy Collins and his colleagues at IAC a highly motivated and very experienced partner for this film and we look forward to our collaboration," said Thym.