Richard Rapkowski has beenhired as director of business and legal affairs at THINKFilm, where he isexpected to play an integral role in the New York-based distributor's expansionplans.

Rapkowski will reportdirectly to senior vice president of acquisitions and business affairs RandyManis and prior to his appointment held a similar position at the obsolescentFireworks Entertainment.

The company, which hasoffices in New York and Toronto, has been busy staffing up recently.

As reported here(Screendaily Apr 13) Andrew Austin joined as senior vice president of Canadiandistribution and Tamara Shannon has been promoted to vice president oftheatrical distribution.

Upcoming releases includethis year's Sundance Grand Prize-winner Primer by Shane Carruth, Byambasuren Davaa and LuigiFalorni's acclaimed The Story Of The Weeping Camel and Jonathan Demme's Haitian civil rightsdocumentary The Agronomist.