Robbie Little, who foundedOverseas Filmgroup 23 years ago, is stepping back from day-to-day operations ofthe company now known as First Look Media to focus on production through hisown outfit The Little Film Company.

Bill Lischak, who has beenat First Look since 1988, first as CFO and later COO as well, has been namedpresident and he will assume all responsibilities for the key operating unitsof the company including home entertainment, international sales, finance andtheatrical distribution.

He will report to ChrisCooney, who is co-chairman and CEO of the company. Little will remainco-chairman and a member of the board of directors as well as a shareholder inthe company.

"I have worked with Bill nowfor the past three years," said Cooney in a statement. "He has proven to be aforward thinking entrepreneur with great relationships. Bill is energetic,dynamic and represents the next wave of creative leadership. I am delighted to havehim in this expanded role."

Cooneyjoined First Look's senior management team in early 2000 when his RosemaryStreet Productions investment house invested $17m in equity into the company inreturn for 59.5% of the outstanding voting shares.

Little will work with hiswife Ellen Little in The Little Company which the two started three years agoand which to date has produced The Boys From County Clare directed by John Irvin and starring Andrea Corr andexecutive produced Charles Martin Smith's The Snow Walker with Barry Pepper. Both films are inpost-production.

"Bill has been a loyal andcommitted colleague for the past 15 years and I am confident that he willcontinue First Look's tradition of independence, integrity and innovation,"said Little in the statement.

"We have a great senior teamat First Look, our people are well respected and have deep, long lastingrelationships in the business and I'm honored to be asked to assume greaterresponsibility toward building upon our success," said Lischak, who plans tofocus first on growth in the home entertainment arena.