Former Madstone Films production executives Eva Kolodnerand Yael Melamede have teamed up to launch New York-based production companySalty Features, which has already boarded four projects aiming to showcase"unique vision, strong storytelling and thought-provoking subject matter."

The four titlesin development include Bam Bam And Celeste, the first fictional film vehicle for comedian MargaretCho that was written by Cho and will be produced in partnership withCho/Taussig Productions and Duopoly, and Valparaiso, based on the acclaimed play by DonDeLillo and to be directed by Hal Brooks.

Jernigan and Signs Of Life complete the list. Jernigan was written and will be directed by JeffRoda and based on David Gates' Pulitzer Prize nominee, and Signs Of Life, written and to be directed by LisaRobinson. Signs Of Lifewas the first recipient of NYU's $100,000 grant from the Alfred P SloanFoundation late last year.

"With fourstrong projects in active development and several more in the pipeline, we areconfident that we will build a winning combination of meaningful and marketablefilms," Kolodner said in a statement.

"Our aim is to find distinctive material and extraordinarytalent, and to bring unique films to the marketplace," Melamede added. "Eva andI are thrilled by the quality of the projects and creative talent that havealready found a home at Salty."

Kolodnerproduced the Oscar-winning Boys Don't Cry and was formerly head of production at Madstone anddirector of development at Killer Films, where she worked on such titles as Happiness, Kids and I Shot Andy Warhol.

Melamede'scredits include The Centre Of The World, Lulu On The Bridge and Forever Mine. She was formerly production supervisorat Madstone Films.