[Cannes Dispatch by Eugene Hernandez]

With the Cannes Film Festival kicking off tonight here in France, insiders are already buzzing about the emergence of two new companies. The new Weinstein Company, Harvey and Bob Weinstein's post-Miramax company, has made a first acquisition and Bob Berney will step into the spotlight as the head of the new specialty division from HBO Films and New Line later this week.

Over at The Weinstein Company, the brothers have announced a deal for Duncan Tucker's "Transamerica", which premiered at the Berlinale this year and then had its North American debut at the Tribeca Film Festival where Harvey Weinstein saw the movie. Insiders have been buzzing about a pact since the Tribeca fest ended and the Weinstein's are expected to push "Transamerica" star Felicity Huffman for end of year awards for her performance as a preoperative transsexual. ContentFilm international is selling the picture, executive produced by Huffman's husband William H. Macy, here in Cannes. Linda Moran and Rene Bastian of Belladonna Productions and Sebastian Dungan produced the movie, which was sold by Andrew Hurwitz of Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz, and Weinstein, while Barry Littman negotiated on behalf of the new Weinstein Company.

Meanwhile, the slate for Newco, as Berney's new outfit is temporarily named, will no doubt take shape on Friday morning when Berney, HBO's Chris Albrecht and Colin Callender and New Line's Michael Lynne sit down for a breakfast press event. The name of the venture, key staff, and even its first films releases are anticipated announcements. Insiders are wondering if Gus Van Sant's "Last Days", a Cannes competition entry, will be the first release for the new venture.