This document discusses different types of film distributors that could distribute an independent film. It identifies major studios like 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. that distribute big budget films. It also discusses smaller independent distributors that are better suited to independent films with less financial backing. The document recommends two potential distributors - Pathé, a French distributor known for films in their genre, and Fractured Films, a UK independent distributor specializing in similar films.

1. What kind of media institution might
distribute your media product and
why?
BY TOM MEDLOCK

2. Different types of distributor
 The role of a distributor is to help with things like backing and
publicising films in a number of ways, for example with things such as
finance.
 There are two different types of film distributors, you have the ‘The
Majors’ also known as the Big 5 (20th century Fox, RKO pictures,
Paramount pictures, Warner Bros and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM))
these companies are very well known in the film making industry and
have produced films such as The A Team, Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows part 1 and 2 and Knight and Day.
 Within the same category as those film distributors you also have the
little 3 (Universal Pictures, Colombia pictures and United artists).
 Although in recent years some of these companies have moved away
from films to concentrate on other things for example, 2oth Century
Fox have moved to television and now the distributor behind major
television programmes such as The Simpsons and Futurama.

3. Different types of distributor continued
 As well as those giant conglomerates, you also have
small indie film distributors who are often unknown
until they rise to fame through a film’s success.
 These sorts of distributors tend to deal more with
Independent films (a film that is produced mostly or
completely outside of the major film studio system)
just like ours.

4. Distributing our film
 I feel that our film would be distributed by a smaller,
independent film company as larger companies want
a film that they know will be an instant hit. Smaller
companies may be happier to take a risk on a smaller
film such as ours.

5. Pathé
 Pathé is the name for various small French businesses
founded and originally run by the Pathé brothers of
France.
 They have distributed many films from our chosen genre
such as 127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire and Crash.
 I feel this company would be right to distribute our
movie as they have had the experience and know what to
do when it comes down to distributing our finished
movie.

6. Fractured Films
 Fractured Films is a small independent film
producer and distributor, it was set up by three
English students in 2002 and has produced and
distributed things for companies such as EMI and
Channel 4.
 They tend to specialise in action/drama movies
about seriel killers so would once again be perfect for
our final piece.