Giffoni Film Festival chief Claudio Gubitosi has been namedgeneral director of AIP, the Italian film organisation which overseespromotional body Filmitalia as well as the Mifed film market.

Envisaged as an outfit similar in scope to Frenchpromotional body Unifrance, AIP was created in 2003 by Cinecitta Holding andFiera di Milano.

As well as boosting the profile of Italian films, one of itsaims is to raise the stature of the Venice Screenings and Mifed.

Withthe backing of AIP, this year Mifed plans to hold a three-day market in Milanand a further three days in Venice during the Venice Film Festival, replacingthe traditional autumn market in the Fiera. Full plans have yet to be unveiled.

Industry veteran Gubitosi, 54, founded the Giffoni FilmFestival in 1970 and has since turned it into one of the world's premier eventsdedicated to youth-themed films. The festival has also spawned a twin event inLos Angeles, called Teen LA, which is headed by Jon Voight.

AIP CEO Carlo Bassi and president Giovanni Galoppi willcontinue in their respective roles at the organisation.

Gubitosi will make his first official appearance as head ofAIP at next month's Berlin Film Festival.