Momentum Pictures, the UK distribution and production venture of Canada's Alliance Atlantis and Germany's Kinowelt, has appointed Sally Caplan to the newly created role of head of acquisitions.

Caplan, formerly senior vice president of acquisitions for Universal Pictures worldwide, takes the title of senior vice president of acquisitions and business affairs. She will report directly to Momentum managing director David Kosse, a fellow Universal Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (PFE) veteran, although the two did not work directly together.

At PFE, which was integrated into Universal Pictures, Caplan was responsible for acquiring titles including gangster caper hit Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels for the UK.

"Sally is one of the most respected individuals working in the British film industry today," Kosse said. "Her extraordinary eye for films and understanding and experience in the UK market place is unparalleled. She will be an essential member of our team."

Momentum's parents have recently struck long-term or multi-picture deals with the US' Artisan Entertainment, France's StudioCanal and US producer Gale Anne Hurd, providing pictures to feed the UK operation. Kinowelt unveiled a partnership with Spain's Lolafilms at Cannes, adding Spain to Kinowelt and Alliance's network of distribution outlets in Canada, Germany and Eastern Europe.

"It is quite a wrench to leave Universal after all this time - and the fact that I am doing so says a lot for my belief in David Kosse and his very talented team," Caplan said.