Former Cannes Directors' Fortnight artistic director Francois Da Silva has joined Europa Corp. as Artistic Advisor.

Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's successful Paris-based studio announced Da Silva's appointment on Tuesday in a press release and said he had been effectively working with the company since October 1.

Da Silva surprised the industry when he resigned abruptly last July from the Directors' Fortnight post. Citing artistic differences and a lack of autonomy Da Silva very publicly stepped down after programming only one festival which was largely considered very erratic. He was replaced by Olivier Pere.

At Europa, Da Silva will act as artistic consultant in order to "help the company to establish an editorial line while concentrating his research on international cinema," according to the statement.

In its three year history Europa Corp. has so far specialised in largely commercial films. Thus the choise of Da Silva could point to a desire to widen the scope of the company to include more auteur-ish and arthouse films.