A film distributor is an independent company that markets and circulates movies to theaters and home viewers. Distribution involves finding the largest possible audience for a film. Distributors aim to convince exhibitors like movie theaters to show the film. They arrange screenings and use marketing techniques. Once contracted, the distributor ensures enough film prints are made and shipped to theaters on opening day. They also create advertisements. As an example, the independent film Bullet Boy was released on 75 prints in the UK through the distributor Verve Pictures, who aimed to appeal to diverse audiences through newspaper ads and a poster conveying the film's tone.

1. By Sam Hercock

2. What is a film distributer?
 An independent company, which secures the placement of a producers
film. Eg: Waner Brothers, Film 4, Lionsgate.
 “Distribution” refers to the marketing and circulation of movies in theatres
and for home viewing.
 Distribution is finding out the identify and deliver the largest possible
audience for a film.

3. Disadvantages of Film Distribution
 Other entertainment options often get in the way of this.
 Another barricade is the 500 or more titles released in UK cinemas every
year.

4. A Distributers Aims
 To convince the exhibitor eg: Showcase cinema to book the film in for a
period of time.
 …In order to achieve this the distributor usually arranges industry
screenings for exhibitors, and uses other marketing techniques.

5. Once the goal is accomplished
 The distributor secures a written contract stating the amount of gross
ticket sales to be paid
…although on occasion some of the terms, such as the percentage of the
gross to be paid by the exhibitor, may be varied with regard to a particular
film.

6. More about Distribution
The distributor must also ensure that enough film prints are struck to service
all contracted exhibitors on the opening day.
Shipping the film around the world (being replaced with digital distribution)
Creation of posters, newspaper and magazine advertisements, TV
commercials, trailers and other types of advertisement.
Physical delivery of the film to the theatre.

7. Example of distribution
 Bullet Boy - low budget, independent film
 Following festival screenings at the end of 2004, the film quickly gathered a reputation as the first film to tackle the difficult
subject of contemporary gang and gun crime in Britain’s inner cities.
 Verve pictures released Bullet Boy
 The film drew a young black audience and Verve pictures saw that the film could appeal to a wide audience.
 In order to broaden the theatrical release of the film, Verve applied successfully for funds from the UK Film Council's P and
A Fund.
 The film was released on 8th April 2005, opening on 75 prints UK wide, in a combination of established independent
cinemas and multiplexes concentrated in greater London and other major urban centres.

8. Bullet Boy
The poster design aims to convey the look, feel and subject and
tone of the film
The advertising campaign was intended to appeal to diverse
audiences
The campaign included advertising in all of the national daily
newspapers that allocate significant space to film reviews.

9. The step by step distribution process
Producer/Company acquires rights to film story or treatment
Screenplay is developed by one or more writers
Production finance and cast and crew are confirmed
Principal photography takes place in studios and/or on agreed locations followed by some months of post production, editing and scoring
Distributor develops relapse strategy considers release date and takes delivery of master print of the finished film.
Distributer presents the film to exhibiters and negotiates bilateral agreements to have it shown in cinemas
Distributors' marketing campaign aims to create a ‘want to see’ buzz among the target audience and launches the film
Film prints/disks Including the British board of Film Classification certificate are delivered to cinemas a few days before opening
Films run extends any number of weeks subject to demand, which may be augmented by additional marketing
Following It’s run in cinemas, the film is released in subsequent windows (Home entertainment, television) and quality becomes a catalogue title.