MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has creatied an International Motion Picture Production department, to be jointly led by Gareth Wigan and Deborah Schindler.

Schindler has been promoted to President of the new division and will join Wigan in running it, according to an announcement made recently. Wigan, vice-chairman of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, has been chiefly responsible for building the studio’s local language business over the past 10 years, says a release.

SPE is the only major studio to maintain stand-alone, local language production units throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America, and it has helped bring such hits as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Snatch and Kung Fu Hustle, among others, to the global market, the release adds.

Schindler is the former head of Red Om Films and was Julia Roberts’ producing partner. Her producing credits include Maid in Manhattan, Mona Lisa Smile, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale. Since 2005, she has run the East Coast motion picture production and development operation for Columbia Pictures.

Wigan and Schindler will be closely involved with the studio’s recently announced film ventures in India and Russia, two of the most dynamic movie markets in the world. The new department will solidify and expand upon the studio’s international production initiatives. SPE is currently active in motion picture production in China, Spain, France and Mexico.