Mirage Enterprises is expected to appoint Bruna Papandrea to head production and development at its London-based operation under director Anthony Minghella.

Papandrea, who is likely to relocate from Australia to the UK in January, recently produced Better Than Sex with Frank Cox. The comedy romance charts what happens after a one-night stand.

The 29-year old producer's debut feature was 1997 video horror-suspense flick Lifebreath, which she co-produced.

Amongst the first projects she is expected to work on at Mirage is Walter Salles' The Assumption Of The Virgin, which is expected to star Juliette Binoche. The large-scale period piece is on track to start shooting early next year. Intermedia is negotiating to bankroll the $20m-$30m picture through a long-term deal with Mirage.

Minghella, who is taking an executive producer credit on Assumption, will head the London operation. The Academy Award-winning filmmaker joined Mirage as an equal partner in May, uniting him with Mirage founder and The Talented Mr Ripley producer Sydney Pollack.