Film distribution is the third part of the film supply chain and involves marketing and circulating completed films to audiences. A film distributor acts as an agent between the film production company and audiences. Distribution methods include promoting films in theaters, on DVD/Blu-ray, television, and merchandise. Successful Hollywood films can earn $120 million from box office and $60 million from DVD distribution, as well as $50 million from merchandising. The UK distribution business works to deliver large audiences for diverse film genres across local markets. Major film distribution companies include Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney, Sony, and others.

1. FILM DISTRIBUTION
Reshma Odedra

2. What is it?
• Distribution is the third part of film supply chain and the most
important part of the film industry as the completed films are
connected with the audience. Distribution is about releasing and
sustaining films in the public to gain an overall profit.
• A film distributer acts like an agent to the film production company to
get the finished product out there. Distribution refers to the marketing
and circulation of movies in cinemas, and for home viewing such as
TV, DVD, video on demand and many more.

3. Distribution Involves
Some ways movies are distributed to the public include:
• Promoting films (Trailers, posters, billboards etc)
• Getting them into the cinema
• On DVD or Blue ray
• Watching on the TV, planes or on IPods etc.
• Spin offs or related products (merchandise, clothing etc)
A successful Hollywood movie can make around $120m from the box
office and can make $60m from distributing dvd‟s. As well as this
merchandising can then generate around $50m and over depending on
the film.

4. Distribution in the UK
• In the UK distribution is focussed on
marketing and sustaining a global product in
local markets.
• The distribution business in the UK have to
deliver the largest possible audience for
every film type of genre. This can be a
challenge as people now use home cinema
set ups or even dvd or vod. And considering
the UK cinemas release about 500 titles or
more every year creates pressure to attract
audiences to the cinema.
• Distribution Process 

5. Releasing Patterns
Not every movie released are high quality Hollywood blockbusters and
so depending on the type of film they are released very differently.
• Saturation- Backed by Hollywood, many prints are made (600-800)
they‟re screened at big multiplexes and have huge publicity releases.
• Wide Release- 100 prints made, multiplex and independent cinemas,
gradual releases.
• Limited Releases- 10-20 prints, known as “art house” small
independent or foreign films

6. Vertical and Horizontal Integration
• Vertical Integration: This is when a company expands into areas of
different points within the same production path like when a
manufacturer owns it‟s suppliers or distributers. This can help
companies reduce costs and transportation expenses.
• Horizontal Integration: These different firms are involved in the same
stage of production, horizontal integration allows them to share
resources at the same level.
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7. Big Distribution Companies
• Via com- $12.86 billion
• Paramount- One of the oldest companies (1912)
• United International pictures- covers 60 territories
• Time warner- have over 5700 films
• New line cinema- „independent‟ and foreign films
• Fox Entertainment- worth over $17.2 billion
• Walt Disney- Very old company
• Miramax- One of Americas largest distribution companies
• Buena Vista International
• The Sony Cooperation's