Swedish major, Svensk Filmindustrihas appointed Tobias Lenner as CEO of the company's Swedish branch - a position also held by concern chief Rasmus Ramstad, who continues as head of the enterprise, and to whom Lenner will report.

According to SF, the expansion during the last 10 years from being a local producer-distributor to becoming a Nordic concern has emphasised the need of a managing director to handle the Swedish side of the business.

'While strengthening both production and distribution in the Nordic countries, exemplified by the recent acquistion of Sonet Film, I am pleased that Lenner has joined us. During the last couple of years he has been successful in areas very close to our own,' said Ramstad.

Lenner had been head of investor relations at telecom company TeliaSonera, and has a background as a television journalist and producer for Strix Television and public broadcaster SVT.

SF produces or co-produces 25 features annually. Current Swedish features include Arn: The Kingdom at the End of the Road and LasseMaja's Detective Agency: The Revenge of the of the Chameleon. and Mamma Mu.

In a separate move, Swedish regional film centre, Film i Väst, has promoted Jessica Dahlöf Ask to head of feature film production, handling projects due to start principal photography in 2009.

Formerly with the Göteborg City Theatre, Ask has been with the centre during the last seven years.

'As Film Sweden and Film Europe, Film i Väst will face new challenges - and as CEO my role will become less operative, more strategic,' said managing director Tomas Eskilsson, who will still be in charge of international ventures. The centre has so far produced or co-produced 150 features.

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