Italian International Film (IIF) has acquired Italiandistribution rights to upcoming Anthony Hopkins vehicle The World's FastestIndian.

The film, which is currently in post, tells thetrue story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indianmotorcycle and then took it to Utah where he set the land-speed world record inthe 1970s.

IIF picked up the film, directed by RogerDonaldson, from NZ Film.

In Cannes, the Rome-basedproduction-distribution company which is headed by Fulvio Lucisano, alsosecured Italian rights to Matthew McConaughey andPenelope Cruz vehicle The Loop.

The picture is a $12madaptation of a novel by Joe Coomer about a highway patrolman and loner who,after meeting a sexy librarian, is inspired to search for his long-lostparents. Wild Bunch has international distribution rights to the film, whichnewcomer S. R. Bindler starts shooting in September.

IIF's upcoming slate also features The BestMan, which is handled by The Works and stars Stuart Townsend and Amy Start.