Zentropa's sister company Trust International Film Sales has set up Trust Film Distribution to handle releases for Zentropa projects as well as other titles.

The new division is set up in time to release Anders Ronnow Klarlund's black social comedy How To Get Rid Of The Others nationwide today. In addition to Zentropa, Trust is in talks with other Danish producers including Clausen Film, Cosmo Film and Græsted Film and Television.

Late last year, Zentropa parted ways with the distribution company Filmfolket, which had been set up with Nimbus Film and Loke Havn. That left Denmark's venerable production company Zentropa needing a new distribution outlet.

The new Trust distribution arm is expected to distribute a handful of Danish features this year, growing to up to seven local films per year in two years. Trust Film Distribution also plans to buy Scandinavian rights for European films and US independent titles at the upcoming Berlinale. Eventually, Trust hopes to gain 10-12% of the local distribution market and to enter into relationships with foreign majors.

After the Klarlund film, Trust will follow that release with Lone Scherfig's Hjemve in March. That Danish-language project doesn't yet have an English title, but is translated as Longing For Home.

Trust will also handle distribution for planned future projects by Kristian Levring, Susanne Bier, and Lars von Trier's Antichrist, which could potentially film at the end of 2007.

Zentropa set up Trust as a sales company on its backlot in 1997. The company recently welcomed Maja Dyekær Giese as its new boss; she will work with another newcomer, ex label manager for Nordisk Film Jimmy Bredow, to ensure rapid growth in the distribution area.

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