Yet another player has joined the growing band of small Australian distributors specialising in independent and foreign films. Northbeach Film Distributors, owned by journalist and publisher David Pearce, is planning a limited release of Spanish director Ventura Pons' first English language film Food Of Love, a comedy drama starring five British actors including Juliet Stevenson and Paul Rhys.

"I had always thought about starting a distribution company because of going to markets and seeing films I thought would be profitable," said Pearce, who is already negotiating for several other titles. "I saw this film while a judge at the Berlin International Film Festival although they (sales agent 42nd Street Productions) initially wanted too much money for it."

Pearce showed a print to several Australian exhibitors before signing on for what he admits is a steep learning curve. He has been a publisher of film and video trade magazines for 20 years, has very good contacts within the exhibition industry and sees no reason why he won't become a boutique distributor of significance.

Food Of Love explores the relationship between a mother and her adult Son. The film was in official selection in Berlin, Moscow, Montreal, Istanbul and Osaka.