A film distributor is responsible for marketing and distributing a film. They work to secure contracts with exhibitors like movie theaters to show the film. Distributors must ensure there are enough film prints, deliver the film to theaters on opening day, and collect it after closing. They handle tasks like dubbing for foreign films. Getting a film into theaters during its first weekend is important for its overall success. Distributors consider factors like the target audience, competition from other releases, and star power when planning their marketing strategy and release.

1. Joseph Giggs

2.  A film distributor is a company/
individual who is accountable for
the advertising of a film. The
distributor may set the release
date of a film and the way in which
a film shall be displayed/ made
available for viewing. The best
examples of this are: video on
demand (VoD), DVD/Blu-ray, TV
and download. A distributor may
well do this independently, but this
is only if they own theatres to do
so otherwise it will be done
through other theatrical exhibitors.

3.  The main objective of a distributor
is to persuade the exhibitor to
essentially ‘buy’ a film. With this in
mind, a distributor will often
organize industry screenings for
exhibitors, and will use other
marketing techniques that will
make the exhibitor a) want to show
the film and b) make a profit from
the film

4.  After this, the distributor will:
 Secure a written contract, which
specifies the amount of the gross
ticket sales to be paid to the
distributor
 Collect the money
 Review the exhibitor's ticket sales
(this is to ensure the gross
informed by the exhibitor is
precise)
 Secure the distributor's share, and
diffuse the remaining money to the
production company/others
 In most cases this is a set amount
but may be varied depending on
the film.

5.  They must also ensure that:
 Enough film prints are made to
accommodate all exhibitors
 On the day of opening- make sure
the film is delivered
 Observe exhibitors to make sure
the film is shown in the particular
theatre with the minimum number
of seats and show times set
 On the day of closing- collect the
film from the exhibitors
 This involves film prints (now
more digital) and posters,
newspaper and magazine adverts,
TV adverts, trailers, and other
types of ads as well.

6.  The Film distributor must therefore
create enough advertising for their
film.
 When dealing with foreign films, it
may also be responsible for:
 Dubbing/subtitling for the film
 Censorship or other legal or
organisational ‘consent’ for the
exhibition of the film in the area; in
which it is shown
 This must be done prior to
approaching the exhibitors for
booking.

7.  In the UK, distributors are
responsible for ascertaining and
delivering the largest possible
audience for every film. Bearing in
mind that they must compete with
other forms of entertainment and
other titles, this is no easy task.

8. Vertigo Films is an
example of this.

9.  A film’s first weekend in cinemas is
vital for further success; most films
gain 30% or more of its entire box
office during the first three
days, which is why it is important
to get the marketing correct.
 Film distributors must think
about:
 Who is the audience?
 Who does the film speak to?
 Do the story, characters and
situation attract the audience?
 Does the film make up for the cost
(risk) of a theatrical release?
 What sort of audiences have
similar films attracted recently?
 These are all very important and
explains why many distributors
may only release 1-2 a year and
others may release 20-30.

10.  COMPETITION- Which films are
being released at the same time-
particularly the ones that target s a
similar audience? A different
film/counter programming?
 Release dates are changed more
very commonly for competition
 EVENT- a film which can either be
a probable mass market
blockbuster or a specialised film
for more distinct audiences
 STAR POWER- Well known actors
among the cast?
 Stars previous roles to promote
this film
 Is the film made by a well known
director?
 Cast members available for
screenings

11.  Different releases are
accomplished in diverse ways. A
blockbuster release may open
simultaneously on 1000 screens
UK-wide playing at two or more
screens per multiplex: this includes
large scale sequels or star led
holiday releases and therefore
helps to accommodate mass
audiences eager to see a film at
the earliest opportunity.
Sometimes, a single print can
service multiple screens if they are
‘interlocked’.

12.  A film that is a re-released or a
foreign film may consist of 25 or
less prints. At first the film may
appear selected screens in London
and some university towns to
audiences to which it appeals. It is
rare to see a film only be put out
on one area before expanding but
does happen. London’s population
accounts for about a quarter of UK
cinema admissions.
 It must be kept in mind that people
decide to go and see films for
different reasons. Older people
may like things advertised on TV or
in the press where as younger
audiences may prefer if it was
advertised on the radio or internet.
The internet is very important to
raising lots of awareness of many
new films.

14.  Vertigo films, founded in 2002, is a
British, vertically integrated film
distributor who is responsible for
‘Monsters’. They were set up to
create and distribute
commercially-driven independent
cinema. In 2010, Vertigo set up
PFXE which is a 3D facilities
company with the aim to create
European 3D films to combat other
3D films in Hollywood i.e.
‘StreetDance 3D’.