Posted: Tue., Mar. 18, 2003, 4:00pm PT

WB makes Amigo in Spain

Exec praised for her knowledge of local film market

By Cathy Dunkley, John Hopewell

Warner Bros Pictures has confirmed that Ana Amigo will be director of local production in Spain, per reports (Daily Variety, Dec. 15).

In the newly created post, Madrid-based Amigo will report to Paris-based Simona Benzakein, VP of European productions and will work with writers, producers and directors to bring Spanish-lingo pix to the studio.

Warner Bros Pictures will be producer, production partner and/or distributor on the pix.

"Ana's knowledge of the Spanish film market is excellent," said Benzakein. "Her relationships and experience in production, distribution and acquisitions make her the ideal executive to launch our Spanish production activities."

Amigo was a former exec at Sogecable distrib Sogepaq and producer Sogecine and was responsible with Jose Vicuna, for financing the script of Alejandro Amenabar's debut feature "Thesis."

She also took an associate producer credit on Amenabar's second pic "Open Your Eyes," remade in the U.S. as "Vanilla Sky," and bought Spanish rights to "Central Station" at script stage.