Optimum is a major UK film distribution company that releases films across several strands, including theatrical releases, DVD/Blu-ray releases, classic films, and world cinema. It has distributed over 200 films per year and focuses on British and independent films. Small, independent distributors will release lower budget films without big stars in independent cinemas, while large companies get films into major cinemas and have massive promotion budgets. The document discusses how an independent horror film without stars could be distributed through a small British distributor or online platforms like iTunes to build an audience.

1. • We researched into other film production companies, such as Optimum. Optimum
release their films under four strands: Optimum Releasing (Theatrical New
Releases), Optimum Home Entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray Disc New
Releases), Optimum Classic (DVD Releases of back catalogue films) and Optimum
World (New and Back Catalogue World Cinema)
• Optimum have released over 200 films in a year and were one of the most
prominent distributors in the UK independent film and world cinema market since
the closure of Tartan Films in 2008, because our film is British we think that
optimum release will be interested in our product because they only distribute
british films.
This is Optimums title this is our title.
Both use the name as the main image to attract the audience and
get recognized by the audience.

2. • Film distribution involves making audiences aware that a film exists, through marketing campaigns
and making the film physically accessible to audiences – e.g. in a cinema.
• To get a better understanding of distribution companies and the differences between smaller
independent film distribution companies and larger film distribution companies, such as
Paramount, I have researched both. Large distribution companies have lots of links with large
cinema companies even the internet, and ensure that the film will be distributed in the form of
DVD or On Demand Television. Big film companies also have a massive budget for promoting their
films on TV, posters, trailers etc. This will obviously mean that the film will make money and have a
higher chance of becoming a box office success. However, it usually takes a cast of famous actors
and actresses and a high budget to gain the interest of larger film distribution companies such as
Buena vista. Smaller distribution companies however, take an interest in and distribute lower
budget films with little or no famous actors usually. It is harder for independent film companies to
get their film into the big cinemas, and will usually just screen the films at independent cinemas.
Our media product does not contain any celebrity actors and also we had no budget so we could
not afford things like celebrities, and expensive props etc. We would most likely only be able to get
it distributed through a small British independent film company. Places to promote independent
films would be be things like film festivals in order to try and find more distributors to get the film
out and known to the public. It is now also possible to distribute films online through websites such
as iTunes. who will also distribute independent films as well as bigger well known box office hits.
iTunes is growing and it’s a very well known website to buy music and films I think that our film will
really benefit from iTunes as we will get our film known to the public

3. Is your film going to appeal to UK audiences only? Or
does it have a wider appeal? why? Why not?
Our film is in English so it would appeal to all UK speaking countries. Also it is
a very popular genre, horror. So it would appeal to a lot of people all around
the world who can understand the language. In our film we do not have much
culture so it people from other cultures would be able to understand what's
going on.

4. Some thought about possible marketing
strategies, release strategies and exhibition options
The big film directors would market their film through advertising in major
sources. They would have a trailer and put it on the Youtube so people will
know about their film. Also they would have it advertised on some major TV
channels. They will have billboards around the UK, letting everyone know that
their film is coming out. In magazines they would try to allocate a page per
big magazine so people know that the film is coming out. They would want
their film to be advertised hugely so people will know about it and so it will
have a good rating within the public eye.
However as we are only a small independent film maker, we will only
advertise our film on the internet and start a small campaign so people will
find out about the film.