Gaumont has promoted Alexis Cassanet to the position of executive VP of international distribution and co-productions. 

Cassanet was most recently EVP of international sales and distribution. He played a key role in securing financing for two major productions: “High in the Clouds,” an animated film co-produced by Paul McCartney and based on his own book, and Olivier Assayas’s “The Wizard of the Kremlin” which is in its last stretch of filming with an all-star cast including Paul Dano, Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge and Jeffrey Wright.

Under his new position, he will contribute to the development of projects with strong international potential, identify new sources of international financing and will be actively involved in setting up co-productions. He will work closely with Gaumont’s international subsidiaries on feature films aimed at global audiences.

Cassanet will also continue to oversee international sales of new productions and remake rights, in close collaboration with Adeline Falampin, head of international sales.

“This evolution in Alexis’s role is a natural recognition of the dedication, strategic vision, and strong expertise he has brought to Gaumont over the years,” said Ariane Toscan du Plantier, Gaumont’s head of French and international distribution, who is also VP of the Cesar Academie.

“By adding responsibility for international co-productions to his remit, he is now also contributing upstream to project development, bringing both his deep knowledge of international markets and his ability to structure ambitious yet realistic financing strategies,” Toscan du Plantier continued.

Gaumont, which is celebrating this year its 130-year anniversary, is run by CEO Sidonie Dumas.