Tarak Ben Ammar's rapidlyexpanding group Quinta Communications has appointed Faruk Alatan as its head ofdevelopment.

Industry veteran Alatan, who isbased in Rome, will continue in his present roles as head of film acquisitionfor Medusa and senior advisor to Mediaset's Film trade arm.

The move underlines thebusiness development and film distribution ambitions being hatched by thevertically-integrated Paris-based Quinta. Last year it launched into theatricaldistribution with the release of The Passion Of The Christ in France andother countries

"We are incredibly excitedabout this appointment. Faruk is unique and he will further develop Tarak BenAmmar's worldwide presence in film production, distribution and financing,"said a company spokesman.

Alatan is currently involvedin his first Asian co-production, serving as executive producer on PenekRatanaruang's Invisible Waves which is now in production.

Quinta, which has substantialinterests in the post-production sector, is currently financing and producing atrio of big-budget titles with Dino De Laurentiis: the Hannibal Lecter prequel BehindThe Mask, Decamerone by David Leland and Last Legion to bedirected by Doug Lefler.