Producer Alain Terzian has been appointed president of France's Academie des Arts et Techniques du Cinema - the local equivalent of AMPAS.

Terzian, also president of the Union of Film Producers, replaces the late Daniel Toscan du Plantier as head of the Academy.

His producing credits include films by Pierre Granier-Deferre, Andre Techine and Jean-Marie Poire including the hit Les Visiteurs and its sequel. Terzian most recently produced Diane Kurys' Je Reste starring Sophie Marceau.

The Cesar ceremony will be held on February 21 in Paris; nominations will be announced on January 23.