Celador Films, the film armof the UK TV company behind Who Wants To Be A Millionaire', has promotedChristian Colson to joint managing director.

Colson, previously directorof production and development, will share the role with chairman and Celadorfounder Paul Smith.

Since joining Celador fromMiramax Films in 2002, Colson has completed Separate Lives, written anddirected by Oscar winner Julian Fellowes, and is in the final stages ofpost-production on The Descent, director Neil Marshall's follow up to DogSoldiers.

"It is thanks to Christianthat Celador Films now has not just one, but two, very exciting and verydistinct features, poised for theatrical release in the UK this year," saidSmith. "The contribution that he has made to the company's growth and theexperience that he has gained places him in a perfect position to sharemanaging director responsibilities."

Celador, which invests inits own productions, launched into film with Stephen Frears' acclaimed DirtyPretty Things.

The company is developing TheUnequalled Self, Adrian Hodges' adaptation of a biography of 17thcentury diarist Samuel Pepys, and Once More With Feeling, a sex comedyby East Is East writer Ayub Khan Din.

Also in the works are pokercircuit story Big Deal and The Principles Of Calmness, a comedyabout stress.