Film distributors are responsible for marketing and selling films from production through cinema release and DVD release. They create advertisements to make each film appealing and ensure many people watch the film in cinemas and buy DVDs. The distribution process involves careful planning of release strategies based on factors like genre and competition. Distributors consider cinema release plans such as saturation screenings for blockbusters in many theaters or specialized releases in select theaters that expand over time.

1. The Role Of Distributors
∗ Film distributors are responsible for marketing and
selling films. They start selling the film from the
moment it starts to be produced, to the moment it
premieres in cinema’s, then until it is released on
DVD.
∗ The role of a distributor includes making posters,
radio and TV adverts, as well as a number of other
adverts. They make sure everyone knows about the
film and make it sound as appealing as possible, so
people go and watch it, and buy the DVD, when it
does come out

2. The Distribution Process
∗ On the right hand side of the slide is a
flow chart showing the distribution
process. Each process takes time to
plan because the amount of success
the movie gets is determined by how
many people watch it. And if the
distributors haven’t made the film
sound appealing, people won’t watch
it.

3. Release Plans
∗ There are a number of things that film distributors
have to take under consideration when creating a
release plan for the film.
∗ Some of the factors include the genre, the target
audience, and if there are any films of similar genre
or target audience being released at the same time.
∗ The most important part of the plan is the films
cinema release. This could vary depending on the
type of film and how its shown, for example
whether it is in 3D or 2D etc.

4. Types Of Cinema Release
∗ Saturation Screening – where the film is played at all
cinemas at the same time on multiple screens in the
cinema. This is normally used for Hollywood
blockbusters because of the amount of money they can
make in the first few days of the film being shown alone.
∗ Specialised Released – where the film is only played in a
select number of cinemas throughout the country. It
slowly starts to be shown throughout other cinemas as
time goes on.
∗ Platform Screening – the film is only shown in one or two
cinemas, before being released to the rest at a later
date.

5. Film 4
∗ Film 4 is a British film distribution company ran by
Channel 4
∗ The company was made in 1982 and has been behind
a number of blockbuster films. Most notably
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
∗ Despite a lot of success, the company currently has
money issues and if they are unable to find more
money, the company may have to close down.

6. Sugar Beat Pictures
∗ Sugar Beat Pictures (SBP) is a film distribution
company we have made to promote our own media
work.
∗ SBP is a very small company that will only release 3 or
4 pictures throughout its existence.
∗ Our opening sequence will be a platform screening, it
will only be shown in a couple of places.

7. Sugar Beat Pictures
∗ Sugar Beat Pictures (SBP) is a film distribution
company we have made to promote our own media
work.
∗ SBP is a very small company that will only release 3 or
4 pictures throughout its existence.
∗ Our opening sequence will be a platform screening, it
will only be shown in a couple of places.