Turkish film and TV director Saman Sinav bought the TV rights to Bulgarian novelist Ludmila Filpova's first novel Anatomy of Illusions, a love story between a Turkish man and a Bulgarian woman.

Turkish production company Sinegraf Film Productions (www.sinegraf.com) is expected to produce with a Bulgarian coproducer, with some of the filming to take place in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with Turkey when he makes a scheduled visit to Ankara on 19-20 March, which would cover regulations for coproductions between the two countries. Within the film and TV industry, the move is seen as laying the groundwork for a "Balkan Hollywood."

Turkish soap operas have grown in popularity throughout Central and Eastern Europe in recent years.