Julia Short named head of acquisitions for The Works Film Group

Julia Short, former managing director of UK distributor Verve Pictures, has now joined The Works Film Group as head of acquisitions.

She will be responsible for acquisitions acros The Works UK Distribution, The Works International and The Film Consortium.

Short has previously worked at Rank Film Distributors, PolyGram (where she ran the theatrical marketing department in the UK), Redbus and Film Four Distribution. She founded Verve Pictures in 2003 with Colin Burch and left the company earlier this year to become a consultant.

She is also a trustee of the Independent Cinema Office, sits on the Skillset Skills Council, mentors students from Screen Academy Scotland and is a judge on the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival and the recent Screen International Marketing and Distribution Awards.

Announcing the appointment, The Works CEO Laurence Gornall said: “We are delighted to welcome Julia Short to The Works. Julia is an exceptional executive with excellent relationships and a wealth of experience. She will be a great asset to the company.”

Also, the Works has added sales and marketing executive Naomi Weiner, formerly sales coordinator at Ealing Studios; and sales and acquisitions executive Steve Bestwick, formerly TV sales manager at Icon. Both will work across the group.

Short is also attending next week’s Film London Production Finance Market.