French film export body Unifrancehas named John Kochman as Director of Unifrance USAin New York. Kochmanwill be joined by a new deputy director, Aurelie Godet.

Former Unifrance USAdirector Catherine Verret-Vimont recently steppeddown opening up a key job in the organization's structure.

Kochman is a 15 year internationalsales veteran and comes to Unifrance from his lastpost as deputy director of international sales at StudioCanal.Previously, he was international sales director at MK2 Productions.

The New Yorkpost is an integral one for the French outfit. The face of Unifrancein America, thedirector helps get French films the best possible exposure. Events where Frenchfilms play a prominent role in the USinclude this month's New York Rendez-Vous with FrenchCinema and April's City Of Angels,City Of Lights Festival in Los Angeles.

Godet, who began work at Unifrance USAin early February, formerly worked with director Alfonso Cuaronout of his New York-based production company, Esperanto.

Kochman will take up his functionsin early April.