Following the sudden suspension of Xavier Marchand in January, Momentum Pictures has also announced changes to its acquisitions team ahead of Berlin.

Richard Napper, the company's acting managing director, has promoted Robert Walak as the new head of acquisitions, with Louis Tisne serving as acquisitions manager and Nadia Ward named acquisitions co-ordinator. The posts are effective immediately. The acquisitions team buys films for Momentum's UK business as well as for sister Spanish distributor Aurum.

Walak joined Momentum about four years ago as acquisitions manager across theatrical and home entertainment. He will now head the department after Momentum's former VP of acquisitions Lara Thompson moved to Sony in December, as senior vice president of acquisitions working out of the Los Angeles office.

Tisne joined Momentum 18 months ago from Focus Features. Ward, who formerly worked at The Works, had been executive assistant to Marchand.

'We have put together a very solid and strong team to acquire for the UK and Spain,' Napper said. 'Together their level of experience and fantastic industry contacts will maintain our position as one of the leading forces in the European arena.'

The company's upcoming releases include Arthur And The Invisibles, Hannibal Rising and The Illusionist.

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