Leading Portuguese private broadcaster SIC (Sociedad Independente de Comunicao) has unveiled the remaining seven projects on its debut film production slate of 10 made-for-TV movies.

The slate, which nearly doubles Portugal's annual feature film output, was launched in 1999 under the banner SIC Filmes, in association with the national cinema institute ICAM. The first three films on the slate - I Love You Teresa, Monsanto and Knives And Angels - cornered at least a 50% market share when broadcast by SIC in Portugal earlier this year.

Next up are:

  • Mustang, formerly titled Blood Ties, set to air this month.
  • Walking In The Park, a family melodrama which received sponsorship from Lisbon's Expo Park Association.
  • Kick And Run, a soccer comedy starring popular comedian Herman Jose which wraps this week.
  • Snow, a romantic drama based on the true story of a former Portuguese prime minister and his Danish lover, to shoot this month.
  • The Anniversary, a family drama to be directed by Manoel de Oliveira's habitual DoP, Mario Barroso.
  • Youth-oriented Fidelity, a black comedy already shot and being prepped for a November broadcast.
  • The Bride, the tale of a woman's search for her husband who disappeared in war, directed by veteran Luis Galvao Teles and based on a true story.

    • The movies, which have average budgets of ESC80-90m, less than half the feature film average for Portugal, aim to encourage first-time writers and directors. The slate capitalises on corporate sponsorship and product placements, an important element in a country where private investment in film is virtually nil. SIC has already signed on telecoms start-up Oni as a "prestige sponsor" for the first six films.

    According to SIC deputy director of programming Manuel Fonseca, talks are underway for at least one of the titles to premiere in theatres. Distributor-exhibitor Lusomundo is a likely candidate to distribute the film.

    Fonseca also revealed that local sales outfit NBP will handle international sales on the slate of TV movies, which make their market debut at next week's MIP. The first completed picture, I Love You Teresa, has already sold to Spain's TV Galicia.