MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has appointed Sanford Panitch as president of international film and television.  

Panitch comes to SPE after serving as president of Fox International Productions, a division of 20th Century Fox.

Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said, “Sanford is a talented and strategic senior executive with an exceptional career working with a wide range of international productions and talent. There is tremendous growth potential in the international and local language markets, and we are thrilled to have someone with Sanford's experience join our team.”

In his new role, Panitch will report directly to Lynton. He will oversee global film and television co-productions as well as local language film and television productions. In international television, he will coordinate with Sony Pictures Television president of international production Andrea Wong, who will continue with all her responsibilities supervising international television production.

“I’m honored to join the SPE team at this pivotal moment in the studio's history. I am eternally grateful for my years at Fox working with Jim and all my long time colleagues. This new role comes at a time of unprecedented change in the international marketplace especially in television; it's a wonderful and unique opportunity to work with Steve Mosko, his outstanding organization and again with my friend Tom Rothman,” added Panitch.

Panitch joins SPE following a successful tenure at Fox. As the founding president of Fox International Productions, he oversaw all local production activities in 12 territories around the globe in Latin America, Europe, India and China. Before establishing the division, Panitch served as New Regency filmed entertainment president and 20th Century Fox executive vice president of production.