Bannister gets the boost to October Films veepee

By MONICA ROMAN

NEW YORK - Nancy Bannister, head of publicity at October Films, has been promoted to vice president.

With her boost, Bannister joins the ranks of management at the New York-based independent film company. She will continue to oversee all film and corporate campaigns, as well as national and regional promotions, as she has done since joining the company in 1994.

DDA, Ogilvy vet

Prior to October, Bannister was an account exec at Dennis Davidson Associates. She also worked as an account assistant in the corporate public affairs group at Ogilvy & Mather.

In a statement, October Films co-managing executives Amir Malin, Bingham Ray and John Schmidt said, "Nancy's efforts in a very demanding and pressurized field have been outstanding and we are extremely pleased to acknowledge her accomplishments with this promotion."

Release sked

October's current release slate includes Mike Leigh's "Secrets & Lies," Abel Ferrara's "The Funeral" and Lars von Trier's "Breaking the Waves."

Its 1997 schedule includes David Lynch's "Lost Highway," Susan Streitfeld's "Female Perversions," Jack Green's "Traveller," Mike Leigh's "Career Girls" and Matthew Harrison's "Kicked in the Head."