Content to pump up pics Stateside - Sales unit moves to big budget features

Leading the expansion will be Content prexy Jamie Carmichael, who is leaving the company's London HQ to be based full-time in its Santa Monica office.

Content has already begun the step up into more ambitious U.S. pics. The company is handling international sales on Mike Judge's forthcoming "Extract," starring Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck.

Content will be looking to handle the financing and sales of pics with budgets in the $20 million-$40 million range. The company will also continue to handle international productions such as Australian helmer Glendyn Ivin's "Last Ride," as well as helmer Robert Connolly's East Timor-set "Balibo." Both pics recently wrapped shooting.

"There is a desire for bigger movies out there," Carmichael said. "The specialist business is increasingly challenging but the market is hungry for pure films, whether they're action, adventure, romantic comedies, with a strong cast and director."

Content is in advanced negotiations with a number of investors and also has an existing loan facility with J.P. Morgan. The company will be unveiling the first pics out of its ambitious slate in the coming weeks.