Following Pim Hermeling's departure from Dutch distributor A-Film (announced yesterday), Wilco Wolfers of Warner Bros Netherlands is being strongly tipped to be appointed managing director in his stead.

Speaking to ScreenDaily.com, Philipp Wolff of W2Media BV, the investment company which already owned the majority of the shares in A-Film and has now bought Hermeling's stake, would neither confirm nor deny the appointment of Wolfers. However, a well-placed source said it was an 'open secret' that Wolfers was in the frame to take the job.

Wolff said an announcement about the new appointee would be made early next week.

Together with Hermeling, Dirk van den Esschert (CFO) will also leave A-Film.

In a statement yesterday, Hermeling's departure was attributed to 'a difference of opinion in future company policies.'

Wolff said yesterday that A-Film is yet to decide whether it will keep open its Belgian branch in the long-term. 'But what we will certainly do is keep on being present in Belgium. We are a Benelux-oriented company.'

He added that A-Film will continue to work with Hermeling in future.

'A-Film and Pim will continue to have a good relationship. There will certainly be some projects together and we will together also have a relationship with Wild Bunch.'

Wolff also expressed his confidence that Dutch producers will continue to bring their films to A-Film. 'That is one of our key focus areas - to keep on having the lead in the distribution of domestic product. We are very proud that A-Film has been very successful over the last few years with a number of Dutch domestic movies.'

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