Former Lionsgate senior vice president of international film sales Elizabeth Kim has joined Mark Gill and Neil Sacker's The Film Department to head its film sales division.

The new executive vice president of international will be based in the company's West Hollywood offices from where she will oversee the fledgling company's slate.

The Film Department has a $200m capitalisation and plans to produce six films a year budgeted in the $10-35m range.

Total production in the first five years is expected to reach $725m on star-driven films with global appeal spanning numerous genres.

'We believe Elizabeth is one of the leading figures in a new generation of international executives that will shape our industry for many years to come,' Gill and Sacker said. 'We're thrilled to have her heading up this crucial area of our new company.'

At Lionsgate Kim oversaw sales for Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and key European territories. She also oversaw sales across all territories on the company's 2,000-plus library of titles from Lionsgate, Trimark, Modern, and Artisan.

Her credits include the horror franchise Saw, Amores Perros, Hotel Rwanda, and Monster's Ball.