NEW YORK -- Following a wave of layoffs brought on by the consolidation of its corporate parent, AOL Time Warner, Fine Line Features is fortifying its marketing department, promoting three staffers and adding a West Coast publicist.
Lina J.C. Plath will be promoted from manager to director of East Coast publicity; Michelle Panzer, who's worked at Fine Line for more than five years, will become a director of field operations; James Teel, who was a manager of creative services, will become a director of creative services; and the division has hired Grace Niu to be manager of West Coast publicity and promotions.
There were 44 people on staff at Fine Line before the AOL/Time Warner merger. That number is now 21.
But the next few months promise to be especially busy for the Fine Line marketing department. Nearing release are such pics as "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and Todd Solondz's untitled next feature, both of which were originally scheduled for release from New Line.
Also out later this year are "Human Nature," "Invincible" and "The Anniversary Party." Currently shooting is "Ripley's Game," based on the Patricia Highsmith novel, starring John Malkovich.
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