Epic Pictures Group co-heads Patrick Ewald and Shaked Berenson are expanding production and finance operations and have brought on John Short as vp of international sales.

Short recently served in the same capacity at Hyde Park International and will introduce Epic’s slate at Filmart later this month before heading to Cannes with the team.

The sales roster includes Big Ass Spider!, which is set to receive its world premiere at SXSW in Austin on Monday [11]. Ewald and Berenson financed and produced the film by director Mike Mendez starring Greg Grunberg.  Klaus Von Sayn-Wittgenstein of Wittgenstein Entertainment produced and co-financed with Epic. 

“John’s business acumen and extensive relationships with international buyers is a perfect complement to our team,” said Ewald and Berenson. “We look forward to working with him as we continue to expand our original production slate and sales operations over the next eighteen months.”

“It is an exciting time to be joining with the Epic Pictures Group team as the company is getting more involved in financing and producing bigger budget, cast-driven projects,” said Short, who handled sales on Bernie and Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance among others at Hyde Park International. Prior to that he served as vp at YFG International.

The company recently executive produced Vikingdom starring Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbrass, Jon Foo, and Natassia Malthe, acquired V/H/S at Sundance 2012 and served as executive producer on Mall, in collaboration with Linkin Park.