France's Ministries of Culture and Communication and Finance and Economy have announced the appointment of Roch-Olivier Maistre to the position of film mediator. Maistre replaces Francis Lamy in the post.

The role of film mediator was created in 1982 as a means to help regulate competition within the industry notably concerning exhibition. A primary function of the film mediator is to help films get into theaters and to help exhibitors gain access to films. Ensuring the widest distribution of films is also a priority; the film mediator can get involved in disputes which might arise when films are considered to be removed from screens too early, for example.

Maistre, who is a counselor at the court of accounts, was previously counselor for education and culture for the presidency from 2000 to 2005 and managing director of the Comedie-Francaise from 1993 to 1995.