Alliance has opened a new division to handle its worldwide motion picture distribution activities. Alliance Pictures International will handle pictures in the $10-$25 million range and specialize in upscale commercial movies generated through in-house packaging and production by Alliance Pictures as well as through acquisitions and coproductions.

The first films to be handled by the new division are The Hunchback of Notre Dame (budgeted at $15 million, directed by Peter Medak, starring Mandy Patinkin) and No Other Life (directed by Costa Gravas, starring Gerard Depardieu).

Mark Horowitz, former executive vp worldwide distribution at MDP Worldwide, has been appointed president of Alliance Pictures International.