BW Evaluation: 3) Distribution

Distribution Of Films:

The distribution of a film is a process that changes from film to film, depending on the budget, the target audience and the release strategy agreed between the Producer and the distribution company. Most films are distributed in a process similar to the following:

• Production and Production are completed. The film is ready to be distributed.


• A master print’ of the final film is sent to a distributor who will be distributing the film


• The distributor will watch the film and decide on the overall release strategy, as well as the release date for the film.


• The distribution company will showcase the film to potential exhibitors of the film, and between them an agreement is made as to how the film will be exhibited.


• The distribution company will begin the marketing campaign, and having decided a target audience, will try to create a ‘buzz’ around the film.


• Just a few days before the film opens at the cinemas, the distributors will deliver the film to each exhibitor individually.


• The film will now be shown at cinemas.


• The length of the films run will be determined by how popular and profitable the film is.

Distribution Of ‘The Rushes’

Our film is a niche film with a specific target audience, but is has the capabilities to attract a mainstream audience and have a general release if there was a ‘buzz’ around the film.

Our film would start off in art-house cinemas, targeting a niche audience who enjoy horror films with a new take on them. However, alongside the art-house release, our film would start with a limited release.

Curzon Cinema is the type of cinema company which 'The Rushes' would be exhibited in.

The use of the limited release would allow for a an audience and a market to grown around the film, and at the same time the distributors would be able to gage the popularity of the film with a mainstream audience. If the film proved popular, then it would enjoy a general release in multiplexes across the country for as long as was profitable.

The reason the film would not be on a general release from the very start is because it is not the film genre or style that could build up enough of a buzz to justify being released all over the UK at the same time. Instead, it is better to engage the interest of the film along with careful marketing to get the best audience possible.

The final stage of the distribution process would be to potentially showcase the film at mainstream cinemas like The Odeon, to a mainstream audience.