the role of the distributor

- It is the task of the distributors to identify and deliver to the largest possible audience for every film

- Distribution is vital to the film industry as a whole and it is up to the distributor to bring each movie to the market and realising its potential

- When making plans on how to the release a film, the distributors have to discuss their ideas with the:
- Filmmakers and producers
- The Exhibitors
- The external partners and suppliers of the film
- The colleagues who will handle the release

- Distributors in the UK obtain films they release through:
- A third party sales agent of the producer
- From new content being made from its parent studio
- From a studio or production company with which the distributor has signed a deal to promote a number of different films
- A sole film which the distributor acquires before its finished being made

- Before they are able to promote a movie, the distributor had to sign a contract with either the producer, studio or sales agent which tells them what rights they hold in terms of the title

- The larger the production budget, the more likely a film is to have a distributor attached before all its financing is confirmed, however the same can't be said of the indie movies, so the film clip explains how to sell an indie film to a distributor



- Often a distributor will become a partner in a project, adding to its development and the production costs and later bringing it to market.

- Through a combination of market knowledge, commercial experience, statistical research and professional judgement, distributors gauge the audience for each film

- Only when distributors have considered what a film may earn can they prepare a budget to release it, meaning a blockbuster such as 2012 which have a much higher budget than a low budget indie flick like Little Miss Sunshine




- Test screenings can help the distributor to see what the expected audience or box-office propects will be

- The distributors challenge is to try and make a film attract as wide an audience as is possible

- Distributors must compete for a significant share of the voice not only against other distributors but also against other leisure activities in and out of the home

- Audiences have to be persuaded that this is an especially entertaining, must-see movie, with their interest peaking the week the movie opens

- Word of mouth is crucial. A personal recommendation from a friend can be the must powerful trigger for a visit to the cinema

-When constructing a campaign, distributors must aim to reach as much of there target audience as possible and as cost-effectively as they can.

- In each case, a variety of complementary media and promotional options are considered, such as:
- Trailers
- Online and Mobile content
- Media Advertising
- Publicity
- Posters
- Set Visits
- Screenings for National Critics
- Promotional Partnerships
- Festivals
- Merchandising

- Distributors do not participate in the exhibitor revenue from advance booking fees or the drinks, confectionery and popcorn sold in cinema bars and foyers, or any proceeds from screen advertising

- Tim Beven CBE: " We filmmakers rely greatly on our professional distribution colleagues to navigate the advantageous path for our products into and through the brutally competitive marketplace."

- A film distributor's managing director normally supervises a small staff with specialist roles:
- Marketing
- Publicity
- Sales
- Technical
- Aquisitions and Legal
- Finance and Accounting
- Administration

- Film distributors strive to recruit from as wide a talent pool asd practical so their so that their companies remain competitive in the future.