Salesagency Fortissimo is to open a New York office.

Thebureau will be led by Hong Kong-based executive Winnie Lau, who has beenpromoted to Senior Vice President, Sales & Acquisitions.

Shewill move from Hong Kong to New York this summer for the launch of the office beforethe Toronto Film Festival.

Theannouncement was made by company co-chairmen Michael J Werner and WouterBarendrecht in Cannes, where the company has five films in official selection.

"Inher five years with us, Winnie has contributed significantly to the growth ofour sales. Winnie's camaraderieand business acumen shared with both the US distributors and the filmmakingcommunity are very strong and we will benefit by her closer proximity," theysaid.

Lau previously worked with Golden Harvest as Distribution Manager.

MaryJane Skalski, long-time US Acquisitions consultant to Fortissimo, will continueto work with the company.

Ina separate move, Esther Bannenberg, former SVP of International Television& Ancillary Sales ankled earlier this month to set up her own film andmedia consulting entity Toto Cinema.