American acquisition teams have turned up in Berlin in good number and it seems are now poised to buy festival and market films.

The biggest hit to date with US buyers is Gabriele Salvatores' competition film I'm Not Afraid (Io No Ha Paura), which is on the radar of many of the specialist arms of the studios.

Market gossip has suggested that Miramax had clinched the deal - a suggestion boosted by company boss Harvey Weinstein's having seen it in Berlin and by the company having its own Italian releasing operation. But others claim to be still hanging in and Jane Barclay, co-chief of seller Capitol Films insists that a deal is close, but has not yet been closed.

Focus Features has also been in discussions since Sundance about Thomas Vinterberg's English-language fantasy Its All About Love, which plays at Berlin in official selection out of competition. The film was seen by US buyers at Sundance where seller Trust Films' US asking price was over $500,000. It is now understood to have descended below $400,000.