Film distribution involves releasing films to the public through cinemas and home viewing. A film distributor is responsible for determining the release strategy and date, presenting the film to exhibitors to negotiate showing it in cinemas, and generating money from the film through various releases and platforms like DVD, online, and television broadcasts over many years. There are six major film distributors in the UK that handle the distribution of films from producers and studios.

1. Film Distribution

2. What is Film
Distribution
They are the company/individual
that are responsible for releasing
the film to the public both in the
cinema and for home viewing.
There are 6 British distributors in
the UK

3. Producer/company get hold of rights to film a story or treatment
Screenplay is developed
Production finance and cast and crew are
confirmed
Photography takes place, in a studio followed by some months of post-
production, editing and scoring
Final copy of the film is delivered to local distributor
Distributor determines release strategy and release date
Distributor presents the film to exhibitors and negotiates bilateral agreements to have
the film shown in cinemas

4. The Film Value Chain
Cinema and Dvd and blue
Box Office ray release
Tv
subscription
Home and online
Entertainment downloads
These are all the ways the film can generate
money

5. Broadcasting
companies such as
the BBC,ITV and Sky
Movies may buy a
copy of a film e.g:
Harry Potter which
they will play year
after. They also have
to pay the distributors
every time they show
the film

6. The distributor needs to buy the rights to distribute the
film (intellectual property) :
film festivals – where they will get international
viewers and review.
You can use loads of different distributers worldwide.