Film distribution is the process of making movies available to audiences by delivering films to cinemas. Distribution companies play a huge role in the film economy by bringing finished movies to life and connecting them with audiences. They spend about £300 million annually on advertising and distributing new releases in the UK. The path a film takes to reach cinemas involves the studio buying rights and producing the film, then making a deal with a distribution company who screens the film for cinema buyers and negotiates showings. Distributors must consider the target audience and season when deciding when is best to release a film.

2. WHAT IS FILM DISTRIBUTION?
• Film Distribution is the process of making a movie available to bewatched
by and audience.
• A great deal is often spoken about actors, actresses and filmmakers, and we
almost often visit the cinema to watch a new release orwatch movies in
the comforts ofourhomes. But haveyou everstopped tothink, who is
delivering to the largest possible audience for everynew release?

3. • Film distribution companies play a hugein the entire film economy. It is
often referred to as ‘the Invisible art’. This is because the process of
distribution is known only by people who arein the industry. It is barely
written orspoken about and is almost unnoticeable to everyone.
• Yet,film distribution is the most important partof the film industry, where
finished movies arebrought to life and connected with audiences.

4. • Like most forms entertainment, the film-business is product driven ;this
just means that the movies themselves are the reason why people buy
cinema tickets. But howdo people find out what films are on offer in
cinema in the first place?

5. • Film distributors in the UK spend about £300 million a year on bringing
fresh release to the market. This also comes along with advertising and
creating an interest amongst audiences. Itis a fast pacing and highly
competitive business.
• Distributing movies can be aggressive, andhas it’s job of keeping movies
comfortably in the market place.

6. WHAT IS THE PATH A FILM TAKES TO GET TO A
CINEMA?
Beforea movie even reaches cinemas, thereisaprocessin whichfilm distributorsareheavily
involved in:
• A movie studiofirstof all decidestobuythe rightstoa film ideathathas been developed.
• A screenwriter,director,producercastandcrews arecalled togethertomakethemovie.
• Oncethe movieis completedandsent tothe studio,the studiomustmakeanagreement
witha distributioncompany.

7. • The distribution company then shows a private screening of the complete movie
to potential buyers representing the cinemas.
• After that, buyers negotiate with distribution companies which films are wanted
in their cinemas. Shortly afterwards, prints of the movie are sent.
• The movies are then shown in cinemas for a couple of week.
• At the end, the prints are sent back from the cinema to the distribution company.

8. • Coming up with an idea for a movie and making it isn’t nearly as difficult as getting
it distributed. This is because of the enormous cost of money and the time it takes.
• Often, it helps having the backing of a major studio or a well known actor or
director, because that can raise the chances of securing a good distribution deal.
• Film Makers use film festivals such as the Sundance Festival and the Cannes
Festival as opportunities to get the attention of film distributors.

9. Most major studios have their own distribution companies. For example, Disney own
Buena Vista, which is a major distributor.
The advantage of a major studio having it’s own company is it is much easier to land
yourself a deal with a distribution company. Also, the smaller company doesn’t
have to share it’s profits with another company.
The disadvantage of a major studio having it’s own company is when an expensive
movie is a flop. There is then nobody else to share the cost of the film.

10. HOW DO DISTRIBUTORS KNOW WHEN A FILM
SHOULD BE SHOWN?
• Once distributorshave releaseda movie, they need to figure out what the
bestplan for the official ‘firstshowing’ of the movie.
• Things that must be considered are: the target audience, the season and the
‘buzz’.Some movies get a huge ‘buzz’ because of the target audience itis
directed at. Movies also be released depending on the season.

11. • Forinstance, a heart-warming Christmas film would notdo well at all in the
cinema if it were releasedin themiddle ofsummer.