FIRST OFF . . .

American and Soviet movie makers on Tuesday unveiled a Los Angeles and Moscow-based organization to support joint production and distribution of films representing “the authentic character of our two nations.” Formed by organizers of this spring’s so-called Entertainment Summit, the new nonprofit American and Soviet Film Initiative will hold its first joint board meeting next month in Moscow during the 15th annual Moscow International Film Festival. A second Entertainment Summit has been scheduled for Moscow in January. American board members of the new organization include industrialist Armand Hammer, movie producer Tony Bill, TV producer Chuck Fries, film director Sydney Pollack and Entertainment Summit organizer Mark Gerzon.