Forte Corp Pictures, the Melbourne-based production company behind films including Better Man and Eden, has appointed former Matchbox Pictures executive Brendan Campbell as its new head of production. The move comes as the company looks to expand its development slate, build an international arm and grow its physical production services in Australia, strengthening its position in a market recently shaken by the closure of a major rival.

Campbell previously oversaw production services at Matchbox Pictures, which shut down in February with the loss of 30 jobs after NBCUniversal's Universal International Studios changed its approach to operating in Australia; his credits there include Young Rock, Joe vs. Carole, Apples Never Fall, La Brea and All Her Fault. Forte Corp Pictures, founded in 2008, has built a track record using Australian production incentives and international finance, with past projects including Robbie Williams' biopic Better Man and Ron Howard's Eden, and has just completed Kornél Mundruczó's Place to Be, which premieres at the Venice Film Festival in September. Forte Corp CEO Craig McMahon said Campbell's expertise would support the company's expansion, including at its sister financing firm, Elevate Production Finance.