Ausfilm, the organisation that markets Australia 's filmmaking talents to the world, has appointed Caroline Pitcher as its new chief executive.

She is no stranger to the requirements of a locations role or to Ausfilm: she has spent the last four years as general manager of the Melbourne Film Office, which is part of the state agency Film Victoria, and has also done her time on the Ausfilm board.

Where The Wild Things Are , Charlotte's Web and Ghost Rider are among the foreign films that have been made in Victoria during her time. She finishes her job in Melbourne on September 4 and moves north to Ausfilm's premises at Sydney 's Fox Studios Australia on September 10.

Ausfilm is funded by the Australian Government and by its members, which comprise all of the state and territory film agencies and 40 private companies with links to filmmaking. Pitcher is replacing Mark Woods, who chose not to renew his contract.

Australia recently increased the rebate it offers to non-Australian films shooting in Australia from 12.5% of the Australian expenditure to 15%. Films still have to spend at least $12m (A$15m) in Australia to qualify and, if less than $40m (A$50m) is being spent, the amount spent must represent at least 70% of the total budget.

The rebate was also extended to cover post-production, digital and visual effects work carried out in Australia, even if the film was shot elsewhere and providing expenditure exceeds $4m (A$5m).

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