MJ Peckos has been named president of First Look Pictures, the US theatrical distribution division of First Look Media (formerly Overseas Filmgroup). Peckos, who joined First Look in 1995 as senior vice president of theatrical marketing and distribution, will oversee all aspects of the company's operations including acquisitions, marketing, publicity and distribution. She will also act as advisor for two other divisions in First Look Media - worldwide film licensing arm Overseas Filmgroup and home video/DVD arm First Look Home Entertainment.

While at First Look, Peckos has strategised and implemented the theatrical releases of films including Antonia's Line, Mrs Dalloway, A Map Of The World and Ratcatcher. She is also responsible for the recent acquisition of Silvio Soldini's Bread And Tulips and will oversee the release of Andrew Dominik's Chopper and Tim Disney's A Question Of Faith.

Prior to joining First Look, Peckos was senior vice president of marketing and distribution at Academy Entertainment where she distributed Romper Stomper and Jamon Jamon among others. At Vestron Pictures before that, she released some 75 films including Dirty Dancing and The Dead. She held similar positions at The Samuel Goldwyn Co, MGM-UA Classics and Warner Bros Classics before that.