Cinereach has hired independent film specialist and producer Caroline Kaplan as head of creative initiatives.

The former IFC Productions and InDigEnt executive will guide strategies for film-maker support and strategic partnerships at the not-for-profit film company

“Each film we support faces unique creative and financial challenges,” said Cinereach founder and executive director Philipp Engelhorn.

“Our approach is to tailor our support to those challenges and Caroline’s experience and perspective will greatly expand what we can offer in terms of resources for filmmakers. She will also be a major influence on how Cinereach responds to the evolving independent film landscape.”

“Cinereach is an organisation that holds such a unique and thrilling place in our industry,” said Kaplan. “Its work reflects the ideas, artistry and perspective on cinema that I am most passionate about. I am excited to be part of their continued evolution.”

Kaplan’s producer credits include Letters To Juliet and the upcoming Time Out Of Mind, while she served as executive producer on such films as X/Y, Flakes and Pieces Of April

Five films supported by Cinereach are set to premiere at Sundance, among them Marielle Heller’s feature debut The Diary Of A Teenage Girl and the documentary Best Of Enemies.

David Manpearl has been named evp of production at Matt Tolmach Productions. Manpearl is currently in preparation on Drew Goddard’s Sinister Six for Sony Pictures and began his career with Tolmach a number of years ago as an assistant when Tolmach was a production executive at Sony Pictures. He has served in senior roles at Wonderland, Mandeville and New Regency.