Jean-PaulRougier has been named managing director of TFM, the stand-alone joint Frenchdistribution outfit launched by TF1 and Miramax Films in May 2002. Miramax COORick Sands and TF1 chairman and CEO Patrick Le Lay made the announcement today(Feb 10). Rougier most recently served as CEO at UIP, where he was also memberof the board and handled the release of titles like Shrek, Tomb Raider and Red Dragon. He replaces Perrine Teze at TFM, who isreturning to TF1 for personal reasons.

"Jean-Paul'sbrand experience will be the catalyst for the maximisation of TFM'sactivities within the challenging, ever-changing French marketplace,"Sands said in a statement. Patrick Binet of TF1 added: "We are very happyto have Jean-Paul join our team. His experience as a distributor of both Frenchand English-speaking films is very valuable to us, as is his relationship withthe creative community."

Rougier beganhis career at UIP and soon built a reputation in French distribution. He movedon to PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (PFE)'s French arm as general managerof distribution, eventually becoming CEO when the company was acquired bySeagram in 1988 and became Universal Pictures France. During his time there hemanaged theatrical, home video and television sales and the release of pictureslike The Big Lebowski,Notting Hill and BeingJohn Malkovich.

"I am happy to join the young team of TFMDistribution and I am looking forward to bring TFM Distribution among theleading distribution companies on the French market place," Rougier saidin a statement released today.

TFM is atheatrical releasing company based in Paris and distributes pictures byMiramax, Dimension, and TF1 throughout France. Current and upcoming releasesinclude Chicago, TheHours and QuentinTarantino's Kill Bill.

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