Campion: Lady At Propaganda

Jane Campion, who collaborated with Propaganda Films last year on "The Portrait of a Lady," has entered into a first-look deal with that company. It commits her to direct one of her next two pictures for Propaganda.

Campion already has an agreement with Miramax Films to direct her next film for them.

The new three-year agreement also provides for Campion to write and produce films for Propaganda through her Australian company, Big Shell Films, which she runs with her husband, Colin Englert.

"We are privileged to be in business with her and share her vision to create product that exudes a distinctive class and caliber," said Propaganda chairman Steve Golin. "Jane will be here (in Los Angeles) next week, and we'll talk about what she'd like to put into development. She has a bunch of stuff she has developed with her sister Anna."

Monty Montgomery, who produced "Portrait" with Golin, will be involved in the projects that Campion develops for Propaganda. Montgomery has an overall producing deal with Propaganda.

Campion's "The Piano" won the Palme d'Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and received nine Oscar nominations that year. Her previous films include "Sweetie" and "An Angel at My Table," which won numerous awards. Campion won the short film Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1986 with her first short "Peel."

Her deal was negotiated by Viccy Harper of Hilary Linstead and Associates in Sydney. Propaganda's exec vp Paul Green negotiated on the company's behalf.