The top 10 distributors account for 97% of the box office revenue. Acquisitions, sales and marketing staff are found at international film markets and festivals, developing relationships with sales companies and production companies. Strand releasing marcus hu 6140 west washington boulevard culver city, ca 90232 3108367500 fax. In the uk, as the world of independent film grows increasingly precarious, more companies are looking to board ip at the earliest stage possible, in order to participate more fully in the success. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been replaced with. Copyright systems entitle creators to receive a fair return for the risks they take in innovation and investment. Gone are the days when a major distributor would swoop down on your movie post sundance, toronto or cannes and offer you a universal allmedia buyout. We negotiate, collect and distribute royalty payments for uses of the works.
In the uk, the first owners of a film are the producer and the principal director. Many distributors not only manage the theatrical ie cinema release of films, but also distribute films on other platforms such as dvd, bluray, video on. Itn releases 24 films per year with itns connection to all major retailers and rentals in north america, such as redbox, walmart, target. Mplc works closely with leading institutions to support intellectual property rights. This means that every finished audiovisual work has two joint authors who each own when the work is created. Both models can be good or bad, depending on how well a movie does at the box office. Just three companies studiocanal, eone and entertainment control half of all box office income made on uk independent films. Icon film distribution uk part of icon group international film production, sales, marketing and distribution company started by mel gibson in the 90s. Copyright does not exist in the idea for a creative work or film, only in the. The last thing you want is to inadvertently commit an infringement of, resulting in costly legal action. Amazon studios brittany runs a marathon, and uk feature. This process can go on indefinitely for a film depending on the demand for the film. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marketing strategy for the film, the media by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing, and who may set the release date and other matters.
The companies selected are those that have a track record of making films that attract box office, critical acclaim and awards. In 20, there were 470 companies focused on video and film distribution in the uk, only 127 of whom actually released a film in uk cinemas that year. Distribution companies acquire and place films on cinema screens with the aim of attracting the largest possible audience. However, other parties like distributors and funding bodies might be. Some exceptions apply, for instance for engravings that were unpublished at the time of the artists death. Aft headed distribution and sales at a number of independent film companies and recently executive.
Aug 19, 2014 ownership of works may depend on the circumstances under which the work was created. Consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of. The very first step in the distribution process is selling the rights to your film. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been. Established in 2010, plasfilms is one of the uks leading distributors of films and supply chain services for businesses across the packaging and labelling industry. There are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater. What are the best movie distribution companies in the uk.
These companies represent different film studios so youll need to make sure they cover. Ager film aim group air productions akkord film produktion al dakheel inc alameda. Like other forms of entertainment, the film business is productdriven. The studios development staff works with the writer to craft the story. These film bookers work on behalf of theater chains like amc, regal, and cinemark. In the uk, in artistic works generally lasts for the lifetime of the artist plus 70 years after their death. A couple of notes regarding these publicly traded companies. Atlas distribution company independent film distribution. For contact details for uk distributors, click here. This scheme applies to all programmes made by, for or in association with the signatory companies bbc, itv, channel 4, channel 5, sky, s4c and for which the director was engaged on or after 1 july 2001 under a freelance contract.
A guide to independent film distribution in the 21st century. Some of the biggest infringement cases have been between some of the most wellknown companies in the world, including the court cases listed below. This means that every finished audiovisual work has two. Republic film distribution, the nascent uk releasing company set up by zak brilliant, has made two significant theatrical acquisitions. Originally established in 1915, fda liaises and works with many individuals, companies and organisations. We spoke to dozens of independent film distributors. This is the type of notice often used for software distributed as freeware or shareware, by specifying that the notice remains intact you ensure that all copies will identify you as the author. So if you include these service deals with our more traditional acquisitions, well do 15 to 20 a year. Remember, notices are straightforward statements, there is no need to get tied up with legal jargon, the point is to state your. In the leasing model, the distributor agrees to pay a fixed amount for the rights to distribute the film. Distribution office assistant my first job in film. A film distribution company wants to get each of the film that it has rights to sell in front of the biggest possible audience. Part of icon group international film production, sales, marketing and distribution company started by mel gibson in the 90s.
About us launching films uk film distributors association. These film bookers work on behalf of theater chains like amc, regal, and cinemark there are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater. Publicly traded motion picture companies investsnips. The distributor may set the release date of a film and the method by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing. Prints are available from our regular distribution collection and the extensive holdings of the bfi national archive. Mar 26, 2015 the author of a work has the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the following acts. Famous copyright cases copyright infringement examples. Shooting gallery no longer in business shadofax film co. The acquisition distribution agreement there are several ways to develop or produce a film. With big movie productions, the film rights are secured by a major studio before production even begins. This article will provide you with a best practice framework to allow your business to operate within the. The uks top producers below is a list of the top 40 film production companies in the uk, which has been compiled with help and feedback from a number of leading film producers, agents and film pr executives. A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film.
See the intellectual property offices guidance on showing television. Film district leading independent distribution, acquisition, coproduction and feature film financing entity handmade films publicly traded uk based production and distribution company hart sharp entertainment independent production and distribution company, producer boys dont cry, you can count on me, proof. For example, photocopying, reproducing a printed page by. The distribution company is usually different from the production company. Distribution is the highly competitive business of launching and sustaining films in the market place. About the uk cinema sector film distribution and cinema. Market share for each distributor 19952020 the numbers.
So if you include these service deals with our more traditional acquisitions, well do. Indie film school is full of practical information about filmmaking and film industry that you wont learn about in a film school. Filmbankmedia is the trading name of filmbank distributors limited, a joint venture. Uk law remains a misunderstood legislation for many businesses. Whenever audiovisual content, whether films or tv shows on dvdbluray. Jun 28, 2015 consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of. Sep 17, 2014 icon film distribution uk part of icon group international film production, sales, marketing and distribution company started by mel gibson in the 90s. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. The film distributors association is the voice of the uks film distribution industry. Independent producer and distributor based in california. This fact sheet is included in our pdf educational fact sheet pack which is free to reproduce for educational establishments, libraries, advice centres and other noncommercial organisations. This is a list of motion picture distributors, past and present, sorted alphabetically by country. It is very common for a company that produces movies to also be involved in the distribution aspects of the industry. In 2005 it acquired ukbased distributor redbus films, who released bend it like beckham.
Itn distribution independent film distribution company. This is the distribution sector and its vital to the health of the whole film economy. We have an unusual model in that we dont actually acquire most of the films we work on, but rather we do all the work of traditional marketing and distribution companies without a transfer of rights. Jun 22, 2016 a booking agent, film buyer, or film booker negotiates the lease terms for films from the big six and beyond.
Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. In bringing films to market, distributors act under. Aug 04, 2014 in 20, there were 470 companies focused on video and film distribution in the uk, only 127 of whom actually released a film in uk cinemas that year. In some circumstances even if a film is available to buy or rent for home use, it doesnt mean public screening. Many distributors not only manage the theatrical ie cinema release of films, but also distribute films on other platforms such as dvd, bluray, video on demand, online, pay and free tv, amongst others.
A guide to uk film distribution, marketing and cinema releases. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. The uks top 40 film production companies televisual. Film ownership is generally held by the film studio or distributor. Film distributors association the film network global. The author of a work has the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the following acts. Film distributors association ltd fda is the trade body for theatrical film distributors in the uk the companies that acquire, position and release films for uk cinema audiences. The film may be exhibited directly to the public either. Perhaps the most famous case of infringement is that of battlestar galactica, who apparently borrowed a little too much from star wars. Beginning with an idea, or the movie rights to an existing literary property, a studio can hire a writer to create a script. If the distributor and the studio have a profitsharing relationship, on the other hand, the distributor gets a percentage typically anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of the net profits made from the movie.