Montreal-based productionand distribution company Equinoxe Films has lured two local industry veterans to its executivesuite. Michele Laroche, who headed marketing and communications at Christal Films,has joined the company as director of theatrical distribution whileMarie-Claude Poulin, for three years a vice-president at TVA Films, will assistEquinoxe chief Michael Mosca in the areas of acquisitions and development oftheatrical projects in Quebec.

"I'm delighted to welcomeMichele and Marie-Claude to our team," said Mosca. In a statement. "They areamong the most talented, creative and dynamic film executives in Canada. Theirimpressive breadth of knowledge and experience are great assets to ourcompany."

Both executives will bebased in the company's Montreal office and will report directly to Mosca. Theappointments are effective immediately.

Equinoxe put itself on themap as more than a savvy niche player through acquisition of such hits as ThePassion Of The Christ and My BigFat Greek Wedding, which grossedmore than C$25m and C$30 respectively at the Canadian box office, as well as MamboItaliano, the highest grossingEnglish- language Canadian film in more than two decades.