This list below provides details of key film distributors in the UK.
If you require assistance booking and locating films, please see the Independent Cinema Office’s Film Bookings and Print Research services.
It is important to remember that distributors tend to have rights to films for a limited period and that many titles that were released in the UK 10 or so years ago may no longer be available for booking.
Film distribution is a precarious business and, as such, companies tend to appear, merge or vanish overnight. Details of British film and television rights and distribution histories can be found on the BFI website.
Studio Distribution Arms:
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century House
31-32 Soho Square
London
W1V 6AP
T 020 7437 7766
F 020 7753 0037
www.fox.co.uk
Major media corporation with film production and distribution arm. Recent UK film releases include Last King of Scotland and The Wait.
Buena Vista International (BVI UK)
3 Queen Caroline Street
London
W6 9PE
T 020 8222 1000
www.thefilmfactory.co.uk
UK releasing arm of Disney and Miramax. Recent lower budget titles include Hallam Foe and And When Did You Last See Your Father? Big successes have been Pirates of the Caribbean and the Pixar animated films.
Universal
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
T 020 7307 1300
F 020 7307 1346
Recent UK releases include Atonement and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and the release of all Working Title films.
Paramount Pictures
12 Golden Square
London
W1A 2JL
T 020 7534 5200
F 020 7636 4118
www.paramount.com
Releases include Into the Wild and A Mighty Heart.
Sony Pictures Releasing
Europe House
25 Golden Square
London
W1R 6LU
F 020 7533 1105
www.sonypictures.co.uk
UK office of major international company distributing Sony and old Columbia/Tristar and other library titles. Recent releases include Rambo and The Band’s Visit, and classics include Lawrence of Arabia, Gilda and Blue Velvet.
Warner Bros
98 Theobalds Road
London
WC1X 8WB
T 020 7984 5200
F 020 7984 5201
www.warnerbros.co.uk
UK Film Distributors:
Amber Films
5 Side
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
NE1 3JE
T 0191 232 2000
F 0191 230 3217
www.amber-online.com
Established in 1968, Amber is committed to documenting the working class communities in the North East through films, books and photographic exhibitions. Documentaries include T. Dan Smith, Seacoal and Dream On.
Anchor Bay Entertainment
38 Broadhurst Avenue
Edgware
London
HA8 8TS
T 020 8958 8512
F 020 8958 5112
www.anchorbay.co.uk
Bookings available through Miracle Communications.
Arrow Film Distributors
18 Watford Road
Radlett
Herts
WD7 8LE
T 01923 858 306
F 01923 850 673
www.arrowfilms.co.uk
Bookings available through Ratpack Films.
Artificial Eye
14 King Street
London
WC2E 8HN
T 020 7240 5353
F 020 7240 5242
www.artificial-eye.com
Long-established leading distributor of independent and foreign-language films. Recent releases include Lady Chatterley and Private Fears In Public Places.
Axiom Films International Limited
2nd Floor
87 Notting Hill Gate
London
W11 3JZ
T 020 7243 3111
F 020 7243 3152
www.axiomfilms.co.uk
A production and distribution company of independent and world cinema. Recent releases include Half Nelson and Born and Bred.
BFI Archival Bookings
British Film Institute
21 Stephen Street
London
W1P 2LN
T 020 7957 8951
F 020 7580 5830
www.bfi.org.uk/nftva/bookings/
The BFI National Film and Television Archive (NFTVA) holds the world’s leading collection of moving image material and sets standards for film preservation and restoration across the world. Films from the NFTVA are available for booking through the Collections Bookings department. The BFI holds rights for only a limited number of titles held by the NFTVA; cinemas will be expected to clear rights with the rights holder before a screening can take place.
BFI Collections
British Film Institute
21 Stephen Street
London
W1P 2LN
T 020 7957 8925/8938
F 020 7580 5830
www.bfi.org.uk/nftva/bookings/
BFI Collections has one of the most extensive collections of classic films in the world, including feature films, short films, animation, avant-garde films and documentary. The collection includes work from such diverse masters of cinema as Jean Cocteau, Ritwik Ghatak, Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, Vincente Minnelli, Michael Powell and Ousmane Sembène. Recent re-releases include Dracula and And a Woman Ascends the Stairs.
BFI TV Unit
BFI Southbank
London
SE1 8XT
T 020 7928 3535
The BFI TV Unit is able to offer advice to cinemas that wish to screen work originally made for British television.
Blue Dolphin
40 Langham Street
London
W1W 7AS
T 020 7255 2494
F 020 7580 7670
www.bluedolphinfilms.com
Independent distributor.
Brian Jackson Films
39/41 Hanover Steps
St George’s Fields
Albion Street
London
W2 2YG
T 020 7402 7543
F 020 7262 5736
Specialises in classic feature films for children.
Cinéfile
12 Subury Pace
Edinburgh
EH4 3BY
T 0131 225 6191
F 0131 225 6971
www.cinefile.co.uk
Distributor specialising in foreign language releases with an emphasis towards France. Titles include the successful Andy Goldsworthy documentary, Rivers and Tides and Asif Kapadia’s True North.
Circuit Distribution
63 Hartingdon Road
Brighton
BN2 3LJ
M 07771 857 652/07944 543 937
Recent releases have included Rain.
Contemporary Films
24 Southwood Lawn Road
Highgate
London
N6 5SF
T 020 8340 5715
F 020 8348 1238
www.contemporaryfilms.com
Distribution library offering an important collection of world cinema, from Battleship Potemkin and Pather Panchali to documentaries on the beatnik generation, the Vietnam War and Cuba.
Dazzle Short Film Agency
388 Old Street
London
EC1V 9LT
T 020 7739 7716
F 020 7613 4485
www.dazzlefilms.co.uk
Distributor and sales agent of British and international short films.
Docspace74
Lauriston place
Edinburgh
EH3 9DF
T 0131 221 6245
F 0131 221 6100
www.docspace.org.uk
Distributor of documentaries through digital technology. UK partner for CinemaNet Europe, it has the UK rights to European and UK documentaries, such as Lomax the Song Hunter and In Search of Mozart.
Dogwoof Pictures
2nd Floor
19 Shorts Gardens (Neal’s Yard entrance)
London
WC2H 9AT
T 020 7395 1217
F 020 7900 3270
www.dogwoofpictures.com
Distributor of world cinema. Recent releases include Tough Enough and Black Gold.
Entertainment Film Distributors
Eagle House
108-110 Jermyn Street
London
SW1Y 6HB
T 020 7930 7744
F 020 7930 9399
Major UK production and distribution company. Recent releases include Goya’s Ghosts and Hairspray.
Eros International
Unit 23
Sovereign Park
Britannia Way
London
NW10 7PR
T 020 8963 8704
F 020 8963 8414
www.erosentertainment.com
Bollywood distributor with a library section on their website showing availability. Releases have included Bombay, Taal and Devdas.
Film and Video Umbrella
50 Bermondsey Street
London
SE1 3UD
T 020 7407 7755
F 020 7407 7766
www.fvumbrella.com
Producers and commissioners of new media, film and video work by artists. Their website lists touring programmes, projects in development and events.
Filmbank Distributors
Warner House
98 Theobalds Road
London
WC1X 8WB
T 020 7984 5959
F 020 7984 5951
www.filmbank.co.uk
Subsidiary of Warner Bros, Filmbank is a key distributor of feature films available for non-theatric bookings on DVD and 16mm.
Gala Films
Recent releases include Aaltra. Contact through Ratpack Films.
Granada International
Granada International (formerly Carlton International) has acquired the back catalogues of British companies such as Rank and Korda. Contact through Park Circus.
Guerilla Films
35 Thornbury Road
Isleworth
TW7 4LQ
T 020 7758 1716
F 020 7758 9364
www.guerilla-films.com
Independent film production company and distributor.
Halcyon
3rd Floor
Kenilworth House
79-80 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8TA
T 020 7580 9979
F 020 7580 9982
LA +1 310 691 0611
www.halcyonpictures.com
New UK distributor and producer. Co-produced and financed Funny Games, the English language remake, and co-releasing with Tartan. UK recent releases include; Ano Una and the new Tom McCarthy film.
Hammer Film Productions
92 New Cavendish Street
London
W1M 7FA
T 020 7637 2322
?F 020 7323 2307
www.hammerfilms.com
The legendary British horror film company. Their website contains a complete filmography.
Hollywood Classics
Linton House
39-51 Highgate Road
London
NW5 1RS
T 020 7424 7280
F 020 7428 8936
www.hollywoodclassics.com
Holds the theatrical rights to a whole number of classic back catalogues including 20th Century Fox, Universal, MGM/UA and Warner Bros. Hollywood Classics only hold prints of a very limited number of titles.
ICA Projects
12 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AH
T 020 7930 7766
F 020 7930 9686
www.ica.org.uk
ICA Projects is the film distribution wing of the Institute of Contemporary Arts. The ICA has been responsible for introducing many major international talents to UK audiences including Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Wong Kar-Wai, Guy Maddin, Kiteshi Kitano and Abbas Kiarostami. Recent releases include I is for India and The Yacoubian Building.
Icon Film Distribution
180 Wardour Street
London
W1V 3AA
T 020 7494 8170
F 020 7494 8101
www.iconmovies.co.uk
Production company and distributor offering mainstream and independent releases. Recent releases have included La Vie En Rose and Once.
Imperial War Museum Film Archive
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ
T 020 7416 5291/2
F 020 7416 5299
www.iwmcollections.org.uk/qryFilm.asp
Huge archive filled with diverse material of wartime combat and daily life ranging from the two World Wars to contemporary footage.
Independent Cinema Office (ICO)
3rd Floor
79-80 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8TA
T 020 7079 0473
F 020 7079 0478
www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk
The ICO works with partners to curate touring programmes of classic and contemporary films. Recent projects have included the first programme from the BFI Mediatheque Bombs at Teatime and the UK theatrical distribution of the classic documentary Soy Cuba and family film We Shall Overcome.
Lionsgate Films
Ariel House
74a Charlotte Street
London
W1T 4QJ
T 020 7636 3935
F 020 7323 0961
www.lionsgatefilms.co.uk
UK based office of US distributors. Recent releases include Once in a Lifetime and 3.10 to Yuma.
Lux
18 Shacklewell Lane
London E8 2EZ
T 020 7503 3980
F 020 7503 1606
www.luxonline.org.uk
UK’s leading distributor of artists’ moving image work. Lux also tours curated programmes of artists’ work. Featured artists include Stephen Dwoskin, Cordelia Swann and Isaac Julien.
Merchant Ivory
46 Lexington Street
London
W1R 3LH
T 020 8437 1200
F 020 8734 1579
www.merchantivory.com
Metrodome Distribution
3rd Floor
Royalty House
72 – 74 Dean Street
London
W1D 3SG
T 020 7534 2060
F 020 7534 2062
www.metrodomegroup.com
Distributor of quality independent work. Releases include Sherrybaby and The Counterfeiters. Online catalogue with trailers, synopses, quotes, etc.
Millennium Film Distributors
Contact through Ratpack Films.
Millivres Multimedia
Unit M
Spectrum House
32-34 Gordon House Road
London
NW5 1LP
T 020 7424 7426
F 020 7424 7401
www.millivresmultimedia.co.uk
Distributor specialising in lesbian and gay cinema. Releases include The Journey.
Miracle Communications
38 Broadhurst Avenue
Edgware
London
HA8 8TS
T 020 8958 8512
F 020 8958 5112
Also books films for Anchor Bay.
Momentum Pictures
2nd Floor
184-192 Drummond Street
London
NW1 3HP
T 020 7391 6900
F 020 7383 0404
www.momentumpictures.co.uk
Major independent distributor releasing 15-20 titles a year, and UK subsidiary of Canadian Alliance Atlantis. Recent releases include Shut Up and Sing and Control.
Monty Python Productions
Bar Chambers
40 North Bar Within
Beverley
HU17 8DL
T 01482 887 155
Distributor of Python feature films.
National Film and Television School
Beaconsfield Studios
Station Road
Beaconsfield
HP9 1LG
T 01494 671 234
F 01494 674 042
www.nftsfilm-tv.ac.uk
The NFTS produces a range of fiction, animation and documentary films every year. Its website lists recent and forthcoming productions.
NFT Touring
National Film Theatre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XT
T 020 7957 4705
F 020 7355 2315
www.bfi.org.uk/incinemas/tours/
NFT Touring curates touring programmes of major NFT seasons, festivals and retrospectives. Recent tours have included the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, Cuban Cinema and Renoir.
Optimum Releasing
2nd Floor
22 Newman Street
London
W1T 1PH
T 020 7637 5403
F 020 7637 5408
www.optimumreleasing.com
Major independent distributor. Recent releases include This is England and Sicko.
Palm Pictures
8 Kensington Park Road
London
W11 3BU
T 020 7229 3000
F 020 7229 0897
www.palmpictures.co.uk
Releases include The Cremaster films, Third World Cop and various Manga titles.
Park Circus Films
Woodside House
20-23 Woodside Place
Glasgow
G3 7QF
T 0141 332 2175
www.parkcircus.com
Specialises in the acquisition, distribution and sales of classic and back catalogue films. Recent re-releases include Goldfinger and Last Tango in Paris. Also holds the theatrical rights to MGM and United Artists’ back catalogues and handles bookings for Granada International.
Pathé Distribution
Kent House
14-17 Market Place
Great Titchfield Street
London
W1N 8AR
T 020 7323 5151
F 020 7323 1773
www.pathe.co.uk
Major independent producer and distributor. Recent releases have included The Walker and Eastern Promises.
Peccadillo Pictures Ltd
Unit 117 Panther House
38 Mount Pleasant
London
WC1X 0AN
T 020 7837 1118
F 020 7837 3049
www.peccadillopictures.com
Recent releases include The Blossoming of Maximo Oliverios.
PPR
Hoxton Works 3.4
128 Hoxton Street
London
N1 6SH
T 020 7012 1770
F 020 7012 1771
Distributor and occasional production. Emphasis on (but not exclusively) lesbian and gay cinema.
Ratpack Films
10 Wiltshire Gardens
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 6ND
T 020 8296 0555
F 020 8296 0556
Handles bookings on behalf of Millennium Film Distributors and Gala.
Revolver Entertainment
10 Lambton Place
London
W11 2SH
T 020 7243 4300
F 020 7243 4302
www.revolvergroup.com
Independent distributor. Latest releases include Tell No One and Legacy.
Short Circuit Films
The Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX
T 0114 221 0569
F 0114 249 2293
www.shortcircuitfilms.com
Distributor and sales agent of short films produced by the UK Film Council. Organises annual tour of digital short films.
Shorts International
25 Beak Street
London
W1F 9RT
T 020 7734 2277
F 020 7734 2242
www.britshorts.com
Distributor of British short films with a catalogue of over 1,000 titles.
Soda Pictures
NEW ADDRESS IN E1
T 020 7240 6060
F 020 7240 6160
www.sodapictures.com
Independent distributor of quality international cinema. Recent releases have include Darat and Into Great Silence.
Squirrel Films/Sands Films Distribution
119 Rotherhithe Street
London
SE16 4NF
T 020 7231 2209
F 020 7231 2119
www.sandsfilms.co.uk
Production company and distributor of films for children. Releases include The Children’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Supreme Film Distributors
Contact through Ratpack Films.
Swipe Films
79 Wardour Street
London
W1D 6QB
T 020 7851 8602
www.swipefilms.com
Production, sales and distribution company.
Tartan Films
Royalty House
72-74 Dean Street
London
W1D 3JG
T 020 7494 1400
F 020 7439 1922
Major distributor of independent, international features. Recent releases include Paranoid Park and The Seventh Seal. Bookings available through Winstone.
Verve Pictures
3rd Floor
Kenilworth House
79-80 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8TA
T 020 7436 8001
F 020 7436 8002
www.vervepics.com
Verve Pictures is an independent UK specialist film distributor, with particular emphasis on British and independent films. Website includes full press materials. Recent releases include Scott Walker: 30 Century Man.
Winchester Film Distribution
Bookings available through ContentFilm.
Winstone Distributors
18 Craignish Avenue
Norbury
London
W2 5PX
T 020 8765 0240
F 020 8765 0564
Distributor and booking agent for Tartan Films. Also has rights and prints for many British classics such as A Kind of Loving. UK distributor of titles held by Canal+.
Vertigo
Producer and UK distributor, and also adding new international sales arm to their growing stable.
The Works UK
4th Floor
Portland House
4 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 8QJ
T 020 7612 0090
F 020 7612 0091
www.theworksmediagroup.com/distribution
International sales agent and UK distributor. Recent releases include Two Days in Paris and Ten Canoes.
Yash Raj Films International
Wembley Point
1 Harrow Road
Wembley
HA9 6DE
T 08707 397 345
F 08707 397 346
www.yashrajfilms.com
Producer and distributor of Bollywood films.
To find out release dates of upcoming films and which distributor is releasing which film in the UK, and for all distribution related issues, go to:
