Lischak joins Odd Lot

Former First Look Studios COO Bill Lischak has joined Odd Lot Entertainment in the same capacity. Also Linda McDonough has been promoted to executive vice-president of production and development; Natalya Petrosova has joined as vice-president of finance; Eryl Woodlief as vice-president of development and acquisitions; Delphine Perrier as director of legal affairs, contract administration and collections; and Michael Urann as sales, marketing and acquisitions co-ordinator for Odd Lot International.

Lyon signs for Initial

Gail Lyon has been hired as president of production at Graham King's Initial Entertainment Group. Lyon most recently produced Stick It starring Jeff Bridges.

Stannard joins DDA

John Stannard has joined London-based DDA Public Relations as a partner. For the past 10 years, Stannard had been finance director at media group TVF Media.

Pavlik bows out as Unger joins Academy

Leslie Unger will succeed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' communications director John Pavlik after the 79th Academy Awards on February 25. Pavlik steps down after 15 years of service; Unger has been with Ampas since 1992.

Han Sang-joon becomes director of PiFan

The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) has announced former head programmer Han Sang-joon as the new festival director. His predecessor Lee Jang-Ho has been elected to vice-chairman of the festival.

Fu joins Fox's home-video office in China

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has appointed Alvin Fu as managing director of China operations. Fu will be based in Guangzhou near Fox's distribution partner Zoke Culture Group.

Nitschke back in Senator seat

Anatol Nitschke, head of distribution at Berlin's X Verleih since 2000, is returning to Senator Film on April 1 to serve as co-managing director of Senator Film Verleih and Senator Home Entertainment along with Peter Heinzemann.