Bengt Toll, of Swedish regional film centre, Film i Väst in Trollhättan, has been appointed head of the Swedish Film Institute's Audience department, as of February 2009.

Previously Toll was head of development of Swedish regional film centre, Film i Väst in Trollhättan and is also currently chairman of CineRegio, the European network of regional film funds.

In his new job Toll will be responsible for distribution and promotion of Swedish films, including the support of theatres, quality film import, and international marketing. School cinema and the Cinemathèque, at Stockholms Film House, are included in his brief.

Commenting on the appointment, Cissi Elwin the institute's managing director said: 'We are happy that one of the sharpest strategists in the business is coming on board while we are working with some of the key questions in the future of Swedish film - new ways of distribution, digitisation of the theatres, the monopoly-like situation in the cinema market - which will all make new demands on the institute.'

Current audience head, Linda Zachrison, will leave the institute on December 1 to join the Stockholm City Theatre.