Genre-focused industry initiative Frontières is moving in new directions.

Following long-time executive director Lindsay Peters’ departure, the outfit dedicated to connecting genre filmmakers has named Geneva-born producer, acquisitions consultant and festival programmer Annick Mahnert as its new head.

Mahnert – who currently serves as a programmer at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and as director of international programming at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas – has been involved with Frontières since 2013, when she was an industry mentor and a member of its project selection team. A Frontières spokesperson confirmed to Playback Daily that she has already started as executive director and that she will not be stepping down from any of her other roles. A press release from the organization also added that her evolved role “will bring forward a new system to allow professionals and participants to engage in discussions around various projects.”

Mahnert has worked across a number of industries such as distribution, programming and international sales at organizations such as 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Pathé Cinemas, Frenetic Films and Celluloid Dreams. Her most recent producing credits include director Mattie Do’s The Long Walk and writer/director Alexandre O. Philippe’s Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, the latter of which was chosen as an official selection for the 2020 edition of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Additionally, in light of COVID-19, Frontières has shifted its annual International Co-Production Market to a new digital format.

Independent of the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal – which said it would postpone its 2020 event until later in the summer due to the City of Montreal’s call to cancel all cultural events until July 2 – this adapted version of the Frontières market will allow filmmakers to pitch their projects online to industry professionals. Targeted towards titles in early financing and development, the International Co-Production Market is still scheduled for July 23 to 26.

The internationally-known initiative also said it will continue to partner with Marché du Film on its annual Frontières Platform, an event aimed at features in advancing financing and post-production. As such, it will participate in the Marché du Film’s virtual market at the end of June.

Image of Annick Mahnert courtesy of Julien Chavaillaz