Emerging Pictures, the New York-based production, representation and exhibition outfit run by Ira Deutchman, has hired former Madstone Films vice president of acquisitions Susan Wrubel in a scouting drive before the Sundance Film Festival. Wrubel will act as consultant to seek out one or two pictures for representation at the event in Jan.

A seasoned marketing and distribution specialist, Wrubel joined Madstone from New Yorker Films, where she was vice president of acquisitions and theatrical distribution and worked on Abbas Kiarostami's The Wind Will Carry Us and Claire Denis' Beau Travail, among others. In addition she curated the 2002 Women's Film Festival at New York's Screening Room in conjunction with the Revlon Run-Walk for Breast cancer.

Emerging Pictures chief executive officer Ira Deutchman praised Wrubel's record in a statement, adding: "Susan has proven herself to be a vital part of the independent film acquisitions community. Having recently been a buyer, she will be invaluable in identifying product that can survive in the current competitive marketplace. I couldn't be more pleased that she is joining our team."