Constantin Film and producer Bernd Eichinger have agreed a year in advance to extend their exclusive production contract by another five years until March 31, 2014.

The arrangement guarantees that Eichinger, who wrote and produced Uli Edel's Der Baader Meinhof Komplex for Constantin last year, will produce exclusively for Germany's leading independent production house and ensures that the cooperation will continue on a long-term basis.

Eichinger's production contract had last been extended in June 2005 and is due to run until March 31, 2009.

Eichinger, who has been closely involved with Constantin since 1979, will also be available on an advisory basis for Constantin productions for which he is not serving as producer.

This news comes as the Constantin Film Group unveiled its provisional figures for the 2007 financial year. The earnings targets were reached 'in spite of a difficult market environment' with sales of $355.5m (Euros 225m) generated and an operating result of $19.6m (Euros 12.4m).

According to an adhoc communique, the Group is aiming for 'a positive overall development of the business' in 2008 with projected sales of 'at least' $363.4m (Euros 230m) 'driven by the company's commitment and performance in the core production and content distrbution operations - even though the market environment has become tougher due to increasing competition on the generally difficult German theatrical market and to further high cost pressure on producers from TV stations.'

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