Greek-French actor George Corraface(Giorgos Chorafas) has been named president of the Thessaloniki InternationalFilm Festival.

The post has been vacant forfive months following film-maker Pandelis Vougaris' resignation as president inMay, just one month after he was appointed to takeover from fellow film makerTheo Angelopoulos.

Corraface will work closelywith artistic director Despina Mouzaki.

Corraface's nomination hasbeen favourably received by the press and the film industry where he isappreciated as an actor with a reputation as conciliatory figure.

Corraface has previouslyserved as a member of the international jury and has twice received twice thebest actor award.

His acting credits include ChristopherColombus, Escape From Los Angeles and Greek box office smash Touch OfSpice.

In his first pressconference, Corraface vowed to further boost the international profile of theevent and stressed that he will push, in collaboration with Despina Mouzaki,for the international promotion and sales of local films and for co-productionswith foreign talent and producers to be shot in Greece.

Mouzaki's plans for thefurther development of the festival include the setting up of a pilotco-production forum and market during next November's event.