This document discusses film distribution and describes Lionsgate and Paramount as potential distributors. It summarizes that Lionsgate would be the best choice to distribute a paranormal thriller film about a haunting because Lionsgate specializes in similar genres and targets the desired audience. While Paramount is a major distributor, it focuses more on blockbusters than thrillers. Social media, especially Instagram and Facebook, are identified as effective ways to market the film to its young target audience.

1. • A film distributor is
responsible for setting a
release date, marketing
and deciding if a film goes
into the cinema or other
platforms such as DVD.
How is a film distributed?
• The studio makes a licensing agreement with a distribution company.
• The distribution company determines how many copies of the film to make.
• The distribution company shows the movie (screening) to prospective buyers
representing the theaters/ cinemas
• The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they
wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement.
• The theater shows the movie for a specified number of weeks (engagement).

2. LIONSGATE
• Lions Gate Entertainment
Corporation is an American
distribution company.
• As of 2013, Lionsgate was the
most commercially successful
independent film distribution in
North America.
• In some respect, Lionsgate films
are seen as too controversial for
other major companies as they
have distributed films such as
the Saw franchise.
• Recent releases include hunger
games and The Cabin in the
Woods.
PARAMOUNT
• Paramount Pictures is often
ranked as the top grossing
distribution company.
• Paramount is horizontally
integrated, owning cinemas
and studios.
• Paramount is known for its
blockbusters such as ‘Wolf
of Wall Street’ and the Shrek
franchise.

3. What kind of film have we produced?
• We have produced a
paranormal thriller film
about a young girl who
killed herself haunting
her bullies. Our film is a
UK film but with the
conventions it follows, it
could very easily be
shown in other major
countries such as the
USA.
Who would distribute our film?
• In my opinion, Lionsgate would be the best distribution company to
distribute our film because of its history in distributing similar genres of
film such as Cabin in the Woods and Buried. Lionsgate also produces more
films aimed at our target audience so therefore has more experience in
marketing for our audience.
• Although Paramount is one of the highest grossing distribution companies,
it is more well known for its Hollywood blockbusters and family films.
However, there are some thrillers distributed by Paramount such as Shutter
Island and Paranormal activity 2.
• Based on my research, I would choose Lionsgate to distribute my film as it
has more experience in attracting our target audience and fans of the
thriller genre.

4. • In the case that we could not get a distribution
company to release a film, we would have the more
difficult option to self distribute our film. This would
be a difficult route to take and the most popular way
to do this would be too enter our film into a film
festival. Although many films such as Saw and the
Blair Witch Project have been successful through film
festivals, it would be extremely hard for our film to be
seen by any companies because our target audience
do not often take part in film festivals.

5. • The most successful way we could market
our film would be through the use of
social media. As our target audience is
mostly young people, this would be the
easiest way to attract our audience.
• With the 14 million people using
Instagram, 39% of UK users are aged 16-
25, which is our main target audience.
• Similarly, Facebook’s most popular age
group is 25-34 which could still attract
some of our target audience.
• With the rise of internet
stars and you tubers, if we
were to do a screening of
our film we could invite
young you tubers such as
Joe Sugg and Alfie Deyes
to come and watch our
film and review it on their
channels who’s audiences
are mainly the same
audience for our film and
they could promote the
film in order to get more
people to come and see the
film.
• We could also use ads to pop up on other
networking sights such as twitter to keep it
open to all audiences and ages.