New York-based online distributor IndiePix is expanding operations and launching a West Coast office.

Director of acquisitions Jason Tyrrell will head-up the new efforts as IndiePix seeks to create film fund partnerships to expand the 2011 theatrical slate to a half dozen or more films.

Tyrrell will scour additional film festivals in the Midwest, Southwest and Asia for potential productions through IndiePix Studios.

He plans to have the Los Angeles office up and running in time for the Toronto Film Festival in September, and will continue to lead the New York acquisitions team. IndiePix associate Mark DeFrancis will take an expanded role in coverage of East Coast film festivals.

“As IndiePix has expanded its reach and our team has scouted talent at larger national and international film festivals, I began to find that, contrary to what may generally be thought about the Los Angeles area, there is a solid and vibrant independent film and arts community, totally under-served by the studio system,” Tyrrell said.

“In addition to acknowledging the significant and further developing film communities of San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver/Boulder and in the Southwest, we decided it was time to dip a toe in those waters.”

“It is a natural step for IndiePix to increase our focus on independent film development and creation in Los Angeles,” IndiePix president Bob Alexander said. “Independent film has a history in New York, but the independent spirit is not isolated there.”