Forest Whitaker's recently-launched producing partnership with the UK's FilmFour has appointed Johann Insanally to spearhead development and production activities.

Insanally, who has produced or executive produced shorts including 1997 Palme d'Or winner Is It The Design On The Wrapper', has a brief to focus on black and Asian film talent. Insanally and Whitaker have access to discretionary development funding for features at any budget level plus backing for shorts. FilmFour has agreed to fund a low-budget digital feature to kick-start the venture.

"We have a lot of ground to make up with the community and I'm convinced Johann and Forest will be a fabulous catalyst for change in the UK," said FilmFour chief Paul Webster.

Insanally is currently executive producing Meloni Poole's short film Dish for FilmFour's low-budget wing FilmFour Lab. He has recently produced a series of shorts for Sankofa Films, a pioneering black and Asian production company.