&Man

Mark Tusk has joined HDNetFilms as head of development and will help company chiefs Jason Kliot and JoanaVicente package the next wave of features.

Tusk has worked in the NewYork film scene for close to two decades. He joined Miramax in 1988 as managerof acquisitions, where he recommended such titles as Reservoir Dogs, Clerks,Good Will Hunting, and Kids.

In 1996 he moved to New LineCinema as senior vice president of production, serving as executive producer onHedwig And The Angry Inch. Forthe last few years Tusk has worked as a professional photographer.

"I was lucky to be a part ofa special time in the era independent film, and then to have the luxury to workon other projects for a while," Tusk said, adding that HDNet Films was aforward-thinking company that "isn't afraid to challenge convention."

"Mark brings not onlytremendous experience and savvy, but also superior relationships with some ofthe marquee independent filmmakers of our generation," Kliot and Vicente added.

"Filmmakers who bring theirprojects to HDNet Films will continue to benefit from the creative freedomwe're already known for as well as exceptional support from a New Yorkindependent film legend. We're thrilled to have him."

HDNet Films, part of ToddWagner and Mark Cuban's 2929 Entertainment empire, launched just over one yearago and develops, finances and produces features in high definition.

Its first release, AlexGibney's Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room, grossed more than $4m in North America and is amongthe 15 biggest grossing documentaries of all time.

HDNet Films' next releasewill be Steven Soderbergh's Bubbleon Jan 27. The company is in post-production on JT Petty's S, Carlos Brooks' Quid Pro Quo, Matt Tauber's All Fall Down, and Katherine Dieckmann's Diggers.