However, other parties like distributors and funding bodies might be. A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film. Market share for each distributor 19952020 the numbers. So if you include these service deals with our more traditional acquisitions, well do. The studios development staff works with the writer to craft the story. Prints are available from our regular distribution collection and the extensive holdings of the bfi national archive. Whenever audiovisual content, whether films or tv shows on dvdbluray. Copyright systems entitle creators to receive a fair return for the risks they take in innovation and investment. Under uk and european law, the joint owners of in a film or television programme are the principal director and the production company or broadcaster who arranged for the work to be made. Distribution is the highly competitive business of launching and sustaining films in the market place. 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. In the leasing model, the distributor agrees to pay a fixed amount for the rights to distribute the film. 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.
Consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of. The film may be exhibited directly to the public either. These film bookers work on behalf of theater chains like amc, regal, and cinemark there are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater. In some circumstances even if a film is available to buy or rent for home use, it doesnt mean public screening. In bringing films to market, distributors act under.
Famous copyright cases copyright infringement examples. Some exceptions apply, for instance for engravings that were unpublished at the time of the artists death. With big movie productions, the film rights are secured by a major studio before production even begins. Film ownership is generally held by the film studio or distributor. Republic film distribution, the nascent uk releasing company set up by zak brilliant, has made two significant theatrical acquisitions.
Mplc works closely with leading institutions to support intellectual property rights. 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. Distribution companies acquire and place films on cinema screens with the aim of attracting the largest possible audience. Jun 22, 2016 a booking agent, film buyer, or film booker negotiates the lease terms for films from the big six and beyond. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been. Atlas distribution company independent film distribution. We spoke to dozens of independent film distributors. A film distribution company wants to get each of the film that it has rights to sell in front of the biggest possible audience. Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience.
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. This means that every finished audiovisual work has two joint authors who each own when the work is created. 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. See the intellectual property offices guidance on showing television. 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. 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. 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. Acquisitions, sales and marketing staff are found at international film markets and festivals, developing relationships.
Film distributors association the film network global. A couple of notes regarding these publicly traded companies. Strand releasing marcus hu 6140 west washington boulevard culver city, ca 90232 3108367500 fax. Bfi distribution we hire out films on dcp, 35mm, 16mm and dvdbluray for theatrical, nontheatrical and educational screenings in cinemas and other venues across the uk and internationally. This is the distribution sector and its vital to the health of the whole film economy. 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. So if you include these service deals with our more traditional acquisitions, well do 15 to 20 a year. Acquisitions, sales and marketing staff are found at international film markets and festivals, developing relationships with sales companies and production companies. A guide to uk film distribution, marketing and cinema releases. There are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater.
Ager film aim group air productions akkord film produktion al dakheel inc alameda. What are the best movie distribution companies in the uk. Independents eone entertainment one handles mostly summit entertainment films plus others lionsgate handles its own, millennium films and summit entertainment entertainment film distributors most successful independent film distributor, h. Uk law remains a misunderstood legislation for many businesses. In 2005 it acquired ukbased distributor redbus films, who released bend it like beckham. 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. Shooting gallery no longer in business shadofax film co. This means that every finished audiovisual work has two. Uk copyright law fact sheet the uk copyright service.
The distribution company is usually different from the production company. 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. Aug 19, 2014 ownership of works may depend on the circumstances under which the work was created. The uks top 40 film production companies televisual. The companies selected are those that have a track record of making films that attract box office, critical acclaim and awards. This is a list of motion picture distributors, past and present, sorted alphabetically by country. This article will provide you with a best practice framework to allow your business to operate within the. Publicly traded motion picture companies investsnips. In the uk, the first owners of a film are the producer and the principal director. Filmbankmedia is the trading name of filmbank distributors limited, a joint venture. 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.
Beginning with an idea, or the movie rights to an existing literary property, a studio can hire a writer to create a script. Like other forms of entertainment, the film business is productdriven. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. Amazon studios brittany runs a marathon, and uk feature. Itn distribution independent film distribution company. Originally established in 1915, fda liaises and works with many individuals, companies and organisations. Some of the biggest infringement cases have been between some of the most wellknown companies in the world, including the court cases listed below.
A guide to independent film distribution in the 21st century. The very first step in the distribution process is selling the rights to your film. We negotiate, collect and distribute royalty payments for uses of the works. Mar 26, 2015 the author of a work has the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the following acts. The top 10 distributors account for 97% of the box office revenue. Itn releases 24 films per year with itns connection to all major retailers and rentals in north america, such as redbox. The author of a work has the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the following acts. Perhaps the most famous case of infringement is that of battlestar galactica, who apparently borrowed a little too much from star wars. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. Aft headed distribution and sales at a number of independent film companies and recently executive. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. 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. For example, photocopying, reproducing a printed page by. 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.
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. Both models can be good or bad, depending on how well a movie does at the box office. Independent producer and distributor based in california. Jun 28, 2015 consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of. You should have a deal in place with a producer before rolling on a single camera. About the uk cinema sector film distribution and cinema.
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. The acquisition distribution agreement there are several ways to develop or produce a film. Indie film school is full of practical information about filmmaking and film industry that you wont learn about in a film school. Part of icon group international film production, sales, marketing and distribution company started by mel gibson in the 90s.
These companies represent different film studios so youll need to make sure they cover. Remember, notices are straightforward statements, there is no need to get tied up with legal jargon, the point is to state your. Just three companies studiocanal, eone and entertainment control half of all box office income made on uk independent films. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been replaced with. The last thing you want is to inadvertently commit an infringement of, resulting in costly legal action. This process can go on indefinitely for a film depending on the demand for the film. Itn releases 24 films per year with itns connection to all major retailers and rentals in north america, such as redbox, walmart, target. For contact details for uk distributors, click here. About us launching films uk film distributors association.
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. Copyright does not exist in the idea for a creative work or film, only in the. Some exceptions apply, for instance for engravings that. Distribution office assistant my first job in film. Icon film distribution uk part of icon group international film production, sales, marketing and distribution company started by mel gibson in the 90s. 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. It is very common for a company that produces movies to also be involved in the distribution aspects of the industry. The film distributors association is the voice of the uks film distribution industry.
507 932 192 797 1552 1008 1601 831 956 1148 1515 723 403 862 904 661 1149 370 1228 463 1057 1277 1092 617 670 940 655 1411 385 1232 1127 546 862 326 1251 356