The film distribution process begins with an idea that is developed into a synopsis to attract interest. The rights are then purchased by a studio or investor. A team is assembled to produce the film. Once complete, the film is sent to the owner who licenses it to a distribution company. The distributor determines copies made and shows the film to cinema buyers, who negotiate lease terms and select films. Cinemas receive copies in advance and show the film for weeks before returning prints to complete the distribution cycle.

1. Film Distribution
How the distribution of a film
actually works

2. One person has the initial idea for
a possible film
1.

3. That person then creates a synopsis in order
to intrigue people in the idea
2.

4. The rights to the film are then purchased
by a film studio or
an independent investor
3.

5. A team of professionals
is brought together to create the film
Screenwriter Producer
Director
Film Crew Cast
4.

6. Once the film has been completed,
it is sent to the studio or independent investor
who owns the rights to the film
5.

7. 6. A licensing agreement is then made
between the studio/independent investor
and a suitable distribution company

8. 6.5.
Vertical Integration
Vertical integration is when a parent company owns multiple companies across different stages of the industry:
Disney is a really good example of vertical integration.
Companies tend to vertically integrate because then they have more control
over the film, it’s more cost effective and the company also has more
freedom to do different and more versatile films.
Because Disney owns companies like Miramax, they are able to produce
films such as ‘Scream’ and ‘Scary movie’ without upsetting Disney's target
audience.

9. 7. It is then up to the distribution company to decide on the quantity of
copies of the film to create

10. The distribution companies present/show the movie to possible
buyers that represent the cinemas
8.

11. 9. The buyers representing the cinemas negotiate with the distributors about
the terms and conditions of the lease and which films they would like to
buy

12. 10. Cinemas receive the printed copies of the films a few days before they
will be shown

13. 11. The film is then shown in the cinema for a number of weeks and
people buy tickets to go and watch it

14. 12. After the film has been at the cinema for a number of weeks, the print is
sent back to the distributor and the cinema pays the company to abide
by the leasing agreement

15. I used this website: entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-distribution
To gather my research and information that I have used in this presentation.