See-Saw Opens U.S. Hub

Top of the Lake producer See-Saw Films has hired Negin Salmasi, who will oversee the expansion of the company’s U.S.-based film and TV slate.

Salmasi has been appointed to the newly created post of VP of creative affairs. She joins See-Saw from Pascal Pictures, where she was a film and TV development executive for Amy Pascal at her Sony-based company.

Saw-Saw Films’ U.S. expansion follows the success of the six-time Academy Award-nominated Lion, starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara. The company is also known for producing The King’s Speech. See-Saw’s upcoming film and TV lineup includes Mary Magdalene, starring Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix, and John Cameron Mitchell’s How to Talk to Girls at Parties, starring Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.

“We are thrilled to have Negin join the See-Saw family,” said See-Saw Films’ joint managing directors, Iain Canning and Emile Sherman. “It’s clear that Negin is an extremely talented creative executive with wonderful talent relationships and a deep understanding of quality material. Negin is the perfect person to spearhead our U.S. presence as part of what is now a truly international production company.”

Salmasi said: “I am beyond thrilled to join the See-Saw team and very much look forward to establishing our U.S. presence. I have always been so impressed by Iain and Emile’s exceptional taste, flawless reputation and desire to take on ambitious projects, winning the hearts of international audiences as well as critical acclaim on top of it all. To be welcomed into this next phase of growth is truly exciting.”