Here at the Tribeca Film Festival, where Warner Independent Pictures' Mark Gill was spotted this week prior to surprising those inside and outside the company with his departure, people are buzzing about the move.

The funny thing is, no one seems truly shocked. Apparently, he and studio boss Jeff Robinov had a rather confrontational relationship. An insider who knows both men told me today that the writing was on the wall when a post-Oscars ad in the Hollywood trades celebrated the success of "The March of The Penguins" without mentioning Gill. Others have said that the two differed about the direction of the company. While still others can't quite understand the apparent choice to replace Gill. As The New York Times reported succinctly today:

Polly Cohen, a Warner Brothers production executive who has no prior experience in the independent film world, was expected to be named as Mr. Gill's successor.