New A-Film boss Wilco Wolfers has arrived in Cannes in acquisitive mood and keen to dispel the idea that the Dutch distribution outfit is in a period of retrenchment and is moving away from releasing arthouse fare.

New acquisitions include Pablo Trapero's competition title Lions Den (Leonera) and Gregor Jordan's thriller Unthinkable starring Samuel L. Jackson (from Kimmel.)

A-Film's has also picked up French box-office hit Summer Hours, Sundance title Frozen River, British literary adaptation Brideshead Revisited and German titles The Baader-Meinhof Complex, Anonyma and Effi. Meanwhile, the company is planning a major push later in the year for local movie Bride Flight, directed by Ben Sombogaart.

'We are here buying. That's the news,' Wolfers, who took over as managing-director of A-Film in April, said that the company will continue to release as wide a range of Dutch and international, arthouse and mainstream, titles as in the past.

'It's not like we are trying to be cautious or careful. We are here to buy for each and every second. A-Film is back in town.'

His bullish remarks come at a time of upheaval in the Dutch distribution sector. Earlier this year, Belgian outfit Cineart (a former partner of A-Film) set up its own office in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, RCV was acquired by Canadian outfit Entertainment One.

Wolfers' predecessor at A-Film, Pim Hermeling, is widely expected to set up a new distribution initiative with a major French partner.

In a related move, Erik Engelen, who runs A-Film's Belgian operations, has stated that he expects to stay at the company.

'I was very close to Pim (Hermeling) and I was very close to Wild Bunch,' Engelen said, adding 'I am committed to A-Film. That is clear.'

'Erik is here to stay. We will remain a Benelux operation and we will keep on buying Benelux rights,' Wolfers said.