Film4, part of UK TV broadcaster Channel 4, has promoted head of development Katherine Butler to senior commissioning executive. She replaces Peter Carlton, who left the company in June to join Warp Films.

Butler, who joined Film4 in 2005, will now be responsible for overseeing its low budget films and will work closely with new talent. She is currently involved in forthcoming features Nowhere Boy, the first feature film from artist Sam Taylor Wood, Richard Ayoade’s Submarine, Attack The Block, the first film from comedian and broadcaster Joe Cornish, and Hideo Nakata’s Chatroom, which is also executive producing.

Tessa Ross, controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, said welcomed the move and she added that Butler has shown she is “wholeheartedly committed” to Film4 by taking the new role.

Prior to joining Film4, Butler spent four years at New Zealand Film Commission, where she was head of development and executive producer. During her tenure, she developed and executive produced a broad slate o films including Whale Rider and Rain. She returned to the UK to join Ruby Films in 2002 as head of development, where she was involved with projects including the adaptation of Monica Ali’s novel Brick Lane.

Carlton left Film4 in June after six years to head up Warp’s European division. It aims to develop projects with international directors and international appeal, and will focus on developing financing both non-US English language films and foreign language titles. The move is supported by a first-look deal between Warp, Optimum Releasing and Film4.

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