Col Tristar Intl. ups exec

de Groodt promoted to GM of Benelux

By VANESSA TORRES

Christine de Groodt, general manager of Columbia TriStar Fox Films, a joint-venture operation between Columbia TriStar Film Distributors Intl. and Belgium-based 20th Century Fox Intl., has been upped to general manager, Benelux, for Col TriStar Film Distribution Intl., a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

The announcement came from Lester McKellar, the company's senior veep for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The newly created position will be effective upon the expiration of the Fox joint venture, which is expected next month.

With the impending dissolution, Col TriStar Film decided to revert back to a combined, singularly managed Benelux company to handle distribution in Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland.

De Groodt's appointment represents a significant change in the overall management structure of the affected territories, which has been in place for the past three years. She will replace Kiki Dilweg, general manager, Holland.

De Groodt joined Columbia in 1987 as the marketing manager for Belgium. In 1996, she was upped to general manager for the joint venture, where she oversaw the territories of Belgium and Luxembourg, and handled the campaigns for titles such as "Men in Black" and "My Best Friend's Wedding."