Ahead of VCL Film + Medien's shareholders meeting on July 11 in Munich, Screendaily has learnt that the German media concern will have the local theatrical release of its films handled by the new distribution company being launched by former Senator Entertainment executive Christoph Ott.

VCL's Manfred Wenzel confirmed to Screendaily that Ott's as-yet-unnamed outfit is set to release The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion, the first of the Woody Allen films being co-financed by VCL, and Jeepers Creepers this year, while 2002 openings are likely for Gosforth Park and Deuces Wild, directed by Scott Calvert, which had its German premiere at the Munich Filmfest last week

One of Ott's first releases will be this year's Munich festival HypoVereinsbank Young Director's Prize winner No Regrets (Nichts Bereuen) by Benjamin Quabeck.