The former head of First Independent Pictures joins the new production and distribution company as senior vice-president.

Rubin has almost 25 years of experience in the film and television business and served as executive vice-president of TV sales and acquisitions for Artisan Entertainment. Before that he worked at October Films as vice-president of ancillary distribution and library acquisitions.

“I’m thrilled to join a company as prestigious as Cohen Media Group,” Rubin said. “Not only will it be a privilege to work on a variety of unique and powerful films, I’ll also have the opportunity to work as part of a dedicated team who shares the same interests and tastes.”

“Having someone of Gary’s calibre round out our senior team allows us to have significant bicoastal representation, even more effective reach and continue to develop relationships with the new filmmakers of our time,” said chairman and CEO Charles Cohen said.    

Cohen, Steve Scheffer and Edmondo Schwartz head the new company and will shortly release Jean Becker’s My Afternoons With Marguerittestarring Gerard Depardieu. 

Cohen Media Group’s first release was Rachid Bouchareb’s Outside The Law. Cohen served as executive producer on Frozen River.