What Kind of Media Institution MightDistribute Your Media Product and Why?

Emily, Toby, Jack, and Georgia

A distribution company is responsible for the marketing and release of a film, whereas a production company is

responsible for the planning, filming, and editing of a film. A distribution company will usually be responsible for establishing a film’s release date, alongside creating

promotional campaigns. In addition, the distribution company will decide the method through which the film will be

exhibited, and the format in which it will be released (e.g. DVD, Blu-Ray, video-on-demand, download, etc.). A film can

be distributed directly if the distribution company owns a chain of theatres or film distribution networks, or indirectly

through sub-distributors or theatrical exhibitors. Smaller distribution companies may only be responsible for particular

products, or only distribute within a certain country or market.

In an opening sequence, the primary distribution company will be credited before the production company, and will

usually appear first in the list of credits.

What is a Distribution Company?

Lionsgate Films

Lionsgate Films is a Canadian-American film production/distribution. The company is a division of Lionsgate Entertainment, and is the largest and most successful mini-major film studio in North America. Its

film focus is on foreign and independent films, but it has distributed a number of commercially successful film

series such as The Twilight Saga, The Hunger Games, and The Divergent series.

Lionsgate Premiere is a speciality division of Lionsgate Films. It is responsible for releasing films theatrically,

through video-on-demand market, and through streaming services.

20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox is an American film production/distribution company. It’s owned by 21st Century Fox, and is known as one of the “Big Six”

Hollywood studios. 20th Century Fox typically distributes blockbuster films, and has been

responsible for the distribution of films such as ‘Stars Wars’, ‘Maze Runner’, ‘Planet of the Apes’,

and ‘Fantastic Four’. One division of 20th Century Fox is 20th Century Fox

Home Entertainment, which is a home video distribution arm of the company.

Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures Corporation (more commonly known as

Paramount Pictures, Paramount Studios, or Paramount) is an American film studio, television production company, and

motion picture distributor. It is ranked as one of the “Big Six” Hollywood studios. In 2014, Paramount Pictures became the

first major Hollywood studio to distribute all of its films only in digital format. Paramount Pictures has been responsible for the distribution of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ as well

as ‘Cloverfield’, and ‘War of the Worlds’.Paramount Home Media Distribution is a division of Paramount Pictures that’s responsible for the home media distribution of

Paramount Pictures’ films.

Selecting a Distribution Company for ‘Rectified’

The distribution company we decided would be most suitable for the distribution of ‘Rectified’ is Lionsgate Films.

Lionsgate Films have been responsible for the distribution of two very successful sci-fi film series - the Divergent series, and The

Hunger Games series. In addition, this company have been responsible for the distribution of independent sci-fi films such

as ‘Ender’s Game’. ‘Rectified’ will require a medium-sized budget in order to include

key sci-fi conventions, and correctly convey a dystopian, technologically advanced future Earth. As a result, the film will

not draw in major studios such as 20th Century Fox, who are more interested in creating mainstream films. However, it is

much more likely to attract the attention of mini-major studios such as Lionsgate Films who have an interest in this type of film.