Karol Martesko-Fenster has joined Babelgum, the free, independent web TV platform as general manager and publisher of the company's film division.

He will oversee all aspects of the film offering on Babelgum, expanding programming acquisitions and partnerships and global film industry and festival activities. He also assumes the role of managing director of the annual Babelgum Online Film Festival working alongside creator Stefania Valenti and jury chairman Spike Lee.

Martesko-Fenster will be based in Babelgum's New York offices run by Babelgum US president Ethan Podell.

A veteran of independent film, publishing and internet, Martesko-Fenster most recently worked with Morgan Spurlock to launch the three-minute story film publisher CINELAN.

Among his previous roles were general manager/head of film for Palm Pictures and president of Palm's RES Media Group, president and publisher of the Silicon Alley Reporter and Digital Coast Reporter magazines.

He also co-founded and launched indieWIRE.com, Filmmaker Magazine, RES Magazine, the Virtual FilmFestival and filmmag.com. He was market director for the 1989 Independent Feature Film Market and executive director of the Independent Feature Project.

'Babelgum's film programming is mainly focused on people who are passionate about indie film', said CEO Valerio Zingarelli, 'and Karol's passion for this material is just what we need to build a vibrant independent film community on the Babelgum platform'.