Bridge Jones's Diary has been a worldwide hit

Miramax have so far been unavailable for comment.

But a spokesman earlier told Variety that staffing had been increased by 16% in the previous four months and the cuts restored numbers back to October levels.

Talk magazine, the high-profile celebrity magazine run by British editor Tina Brown, was closed down in February, with the crash in advertising being blamed.

The magazine was launched in a blaze of glamour in 1999 in a joint venture between Miramax and Hearst Corp.

But although producing its own movies became a drain on resources, Miramax has scored well distributing films it has acquired.

Among the success stories are Bridget Jones's Diary, Chocolat and Apocalypse Now Redux.

Oscar nominee In the Bedroom has so far taken $32m (�22.5m) at the US box office while French comedy Amelie grossed $30m (�21m).

Both will compete for five Academy Awards at Sunday's Oscar ceremony, alongside Iris, which received three nominations.