Helen Loveridge, who currently heads Cologne-based sales agency Orfeo Films, is to become managing director of a new Film Centre being developed in Seattle.

Loveridge's move follows the recent announcement of the forthcoming closure of Orfeo and World Sales Christa Saredi (see Screendaily, Jan 11). The two sales agencies are present at this week's Rotterdam festival and will have their swansong at next month's Berlinale.

The new posting means that Loveridge, one of Europe's best-known film sellers, will quit her European base in mid-March.

In addition to responsibility at the yet-to-be-built film centre, the new job will see Loveridge join the executive team of the Seattle International Film Festival. Reporting to Darryl Macdonald, she is likely to oversee selection of Asian Films for the June SIFF.

At Orfeo, World Sales Christa Saredi and Fortissimo, Loveridge has handled Asian films by auteurs including Wong kar-Wei and Hou Hsiao-hsien and is currently wrapping sales on Venice winner Monsoon Wedding.