Former Miramax Internationalpresident Ian Jessel has joined the board of directors on Alan Goda's ambitiousLos Angeles-based finance, production and distribution company FilmMates Entertainment.

Jessel will serve as advisor and help structure domesticand international strategic alliances as FilmMates ramps up activities, and isbusily setting up meetings with potential filmmaking partners.

FilmMates' debut slate includes the action adventure Tent HillRoad starring Jeremy Irons and Simon Baker, comedy-drama GoodSharma with Susan Sarandon, and theromantic comedy Finders Keepersstarring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The company has threecompleted titles: the New York-set screwball comedy Aunt Agatha's Apartment starring Carmen Electra; thriller Young Sherlock starring James D'Arcy, Vincent D'Onofrio andGabrielle Anwar; and Living Lifeby 17-year old writer-director Jesse Harris.