Deal of the hour: Warner Independent Pictures put down $6 million for Michel Gondry's The Science of Sleep. "Breathtakingly original," gushed WIP president Mark Gill of the dreamy, romantic, multilingual fantasy film, which takes place primarily inside the mind of always wonderful Gael Garcia Bernal. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou Miou, Aurelia Petit and Sacha Bourdo also star. Paramount, Fox Searchlight, Picturehouse and Focus Features all expressed interest in the Gondry mind bender, but not the necessary willingness to show the money.

And finally, a little film gets some glory. 23-year-old Pablo Veliz (according to his official bio, the guy is still in college) also made a sale. His first film, La Tragedia de Macario, the story of a Mexican peasant worker drawn uncontrollably to thoughts of crossing the border, was acquired by Arrival Pictures. Imminent deals are coming down for Half Nelson, Wordplay, and The Illusionist. I won't, however, be reporting any more rumors.