Aggressively-expanding UK film-to-Internet outfit Redbus Film Group and Canadian-UK financier Grosvenor Park are in advanced talks to strike a long-term, multi-territory pact on a slate of large-scale titles.

The expected deal would feed about five projects a year to Redbus' UK distribution arm, which has just appointed a wave of executives from Universal Pictures International (UPI) including theatrical distribution chief Chris Bailey.

The deal comes as Grosvenor is increasing UK co-production and financing activity, recently boarding the $15m Kingdom Come alongside United Artists Films, which is selling the picture, and Pathe Pictures, which has rights for the UK. Redbus and Grosvenor are expected to handle international rights on titles they work on together, possibly working with sales companies, while a studio handles domestic distribution.

Meanwhile, as Bailey becomes Redbus Film Distribution's managing director, a further eight UPI recruits are joining the company, including sales manager Mervyn Andrews; marketing manager Carla Smith; and head of PR Suzie Barton. Redbus now boasts the bulk of UK theatrical distribution executives from UPI, formerly PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.

'We consider this team, led by Chris Bailey, to be the most innovative and successful distribution team in the country,' said Simon Franks, the group's chief executive officer.

Redbus, owned by Demon Internet founder Cliff Stanford, also re-iterated its plans to launch an Internet video-on-demand service this year.