Danish Film Institute taps Hermann

Exec to distrib funds for films, reevaluating coin spent

By JORN ROSSING JENSEN

COPENHAGEN -- The Danish Film Institute has named producer Lars Hermann head of development. He will distribute $1.3 million annually for feature films.

"Within two years the institute has spent $2 million on development. We are currently looking at the results and will then meet the industry to find out whether it can be better used," said Hermann.

In 1999 Danish features controlled 28% of the local market, from 15 new releases. This year's 16, however, will hardly exceed 15%, according to the Danish Film Institute's head of distribution, Jimmy Bredow Pedersen.

Previously with Victoria Film and Nordisk Film, Hermann has produced numerous features, most recently Swedish director Jan Troell's "As White as in Snow."

He will report to managing director of production-development Thomas Stenderup, whose contract has been extended through March 31.