Distribution Options There are three main distribution companies that could properly distribute our film to a mainstream audience. We have compiled

a brief case study on each of these companies and from this information decided upon the best company for the distribution

of our product.

The BFI (British Film Institute)

What do they do? The BFI was founded in 1933. We are a charity governed by a Royal Charter. We combine cultural, creative and industrial roles, bringing together the BFI National Archive and BFI Reuben Library, film distribution, exhibition and education at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX, publishing and festivals.

They award Lottery funding to film production, distribution, education, audience development and market intelligence and research.

Film Forever is our five year strategic plan for 2012-2017 to support UK film. The plan covers all our activities and is based around three priorities – education and audiences, support for the UK film industry and unlocking film heritage.

Funding and Money The BFI uses National Lottery funds to develop and support original UK filmmakers and films, and to increase the audiences who can enjoy them.

We seek to reflect the public in the films we support, the audiences who watch them, and the filmmakers, actors and crews who make them.

Film Releases• The Changes

• The Big Melt

• The Ghost

• Ghost Stories for Christmas

Film 4What do they do?

Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division. Film4 develops and co-finances films and is known for working with the most distinctive and innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established.

Funding and Money As a production company, they aim to operate ten to twelve feature films a year with a mix of license fee and equity. Almost all of their films are co-financed with other financing partners. After each film’s theatrical release, they tend to receive premieres on either Channel 4 or Film 4, leading to them gaining more money to fund more films.

Film Releases Some top films that they have produced include:

• 12 Years a Slave

• Slumdog Millionaire

• The Iron Lady

• Four Lions

• Starred Up

• Amy (Documentary Film)

• Ex Machina

• Carol

• Room

Patterns/Trends Some pattern and trends that I can see in the films that Film 4 have produced are that majority of them have been recognised by the Academy which works for the Oscars, with films such as 12 Years a Slave and Slumdog Millionaire winning Best Picture, whereas other films such as: The Iron Lady; Amy; Ex Machina; and Room have won several Oscars and other acclaimed awards.

Audience Their target audience, with the types of films that they have produced, tend to be adults or young adults. This is because majority of the films that they have produced tend to be dramas or biopics, with only adults or young adults truly understanding the full meaning of the film.

BBC FilmsWhat they do

BBC Films is the feature film-making arm of the BBC. It is firmly established at the forefront of British independent film-making and co-produces approximately eight films a year. Working in partnership with major international and UK distributors, BBC Films aims to make strong British films with range and ambition. We are committed to finding and developing new talent, as well as collaborating with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry.

Funding and MoneyGovernment funding for shorts comes largely through the UK Film Council*, but there are other sources if you are prepared to look hard and to work your film around their agendas. Many funding sources look to fund digital shorts rather than projects that want to shoot on film, based on the argument that new directors should cut their teeth on the cheaper medium.

Film Releases • Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

• Man on Wire (2008)

• Sarafina! (1992)

• Wonder Boys (2000)

• Hard Rain (1998)

• Conspiracy (2001)

• Persuasion (1995)

Audience Because the BBC is a government funded cooperation they are required to conform and appeal to a mass audience and are not as risker as out companies as they may not get backing.

ConclusionFrom this we have decided that the distributor we would most like to go with is Film 4 as they are more creative with their releases as they are not as restricted by government and public funding so they can appeal to more niche audiences but also to audiences that are not necessarily our target audience but those who will still appreciate our film.

Using Film 4 also allows us to correspond between our film and the audiences of the shows shown on all of channel 4s channels such as E4 as our film has a similar target audience to a lot of their shows and thus be the ideal place to market our product

It also means that our film can be shown on their channels which means even after the cinema release is over our product will still have publicity.