UK film distributors
This list provides contacts for key film distributors in the UK.
If you require assistance booking and locating films, please see the ICO'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 at www.bfi.org.uk.
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 releases include Fantastic Mr. Fox and 500 Days of Summer.
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
20-22 Stukeley Street
London
WC2B 5LR
T 020 7240 5353
F 020 72405242
www.artificial-eye.com
Long-established leading distributor of independent and foreign-language films. Recent releases include Fish Tank and The White Ribbon.
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 Frozen River and Goodbye Solo.
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/access/bookings/
The BFI National Film and Television Archive 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 Distribution
British Film Institute
21 Stephen Street
London
W1P 2LN
T 020 7957 8925/8938
F 020 7580 5830
www.bfi.org.uk/nftva/access/bookings/
The BFI National Archive 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 Citizen Kane and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.
BFI Touring
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XT
T 020 7957 4705
F 020 7355 2315
www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_around_the_uk/touring_programmes
BFI Touring curates touring programmes of major BFI seasons, festivals and retrospectives. Recent tours have included the 23rd London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and BFI Mediatheque on Tour.
BFI TV Unit
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
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
http://brianjacksonfilms.com
Specialises in classic feature films for children.
CinéFile
12 Sunbury Place
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.
Contemporary Films
Unit H Spectrum House
32-34 Gordon House Road
London
NW5 1LP
T 020 7482 6204
F 020 7284 2809
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, Cuba, etc. Catalogue available online.
ContentFilm
19 Heddon Street
London
W1R 7LP
T 020 7851 6500
F 020 7851 6505
www.contentfilm.com
Production and distribution company. Back catalogues include Winchester and Feature Film Company.
Dazzle ShortFilmLabel
Unit P102, Penn Street Studio
23 - 28, Penn Street
Hoxton
London
N1 5DL
T 020 7739 7716
www.dazzlefilms.co.uk
Distributor and sales agent of British and international short films.
Delanic Films
6 Heddon Street
London
W1B 4BT
T 020 7292 0690
www.delanic.com
Independent film distributor operating in the U.K. & Ireland. Recent releases include Swing Vote and Passengers.
Bookings available through Miracle Communications.
Diffusion Pictures
Park House
Regents Park Road
London
NW1 8UG
www.diffusionpictures.co.uk
Recent releases include Momma's Man.
Docspace
74 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
Studio 311, Panther House
38 Mount Pleasant
London
WC1X 0AN
T 020 7833 3599
F 020 7900 3270
www.dogwoofpictures.com
Distributor of world cinema. Recent releases include Burma VJ and Vanishing of the Bees.
E1 Entertainment UK
120 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XX
T 020 7907 3773
F 020 7907 3777
www.e1entertainmentuk.com
Distributor of theatrical & home video and TV production company. Operates across a number of genres including film, children's, TV drama and general/factual entertainment. Recent releases include Away We Go and An Education.
Entertainment Film Distributors
Eagle House
108-110 Jermyn Street
London
SW1Y 6HB
T 020 7930 7744
F 020 7930 9399
www.entertainmentfilms.co.uk
Major UK production and distribution company. Recent releases include The Time Traveler's Wife and The Red Cliff.
Eros International
Unit 26
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 Wanted, Aladin and Heer Ranjha.
Eureka Entertainment Ltd
Unit 9, Iron Bridge Close
Great Central Way
London
NW10 0UF
T 020 8459 8054
F 020 8459 5162
www.eurekavideo.co.uk
Primarily a DVD label, Eureka releases classics of world cinema, with selected theatrical releases. Recent releases include Soul Power and Tokyo Sonata. Bookings available through Miracle Communications
Feature Film Company
For bookings see ContentFilm.
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-theatrical bookings on DVD and Blu-ray.
Bookings through Ratpack Films.
Goldcrest Films International
65-66 Dean Street
London
W1D 4PL
T 020 7437 8696
F 020 7437 4448
www.goldcrestfilms.com/films
Post-production facility and distributor of Goldcrest titles.
Granada International (formerly Carlton International) has acquired the back catalogues of British companies such as Rank and Korda. Bookings 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.
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 with details of availability (though predominantly references VHS and DVD).
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 Films
12 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AH
T 020 7766 1416
www.ica.org.uk
ICA Films is the film distribution wing of the Institute of Contemporary Arts. The pioneering 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 Died Young Stayed Pretty and Chevolution.
Icon Film Distribution
Solar House
915 High Road
London
N12 8QJ
T 020 8492 6300
F 020 8492 6301
www.iconmovies.co.uk
Production company and distributor offering mainstream and independent releases. Recent releases have included The Private Lives of Pippa Lee and Creation.
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. You can search the archive's extensive database online.
Independent Cinema Office
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 seventh programme from the BFI Mediatheque, Brit Chic, and the upcoming UK theatrical distribution of the classic documentary The Queen of Spades in partnership with Optimum Releasing.
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 S. Darko and The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus.
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. The excellent catalogue is available online.
Merchant Ivory
46 Lexington Street
London
W1R 3LH
T 020 8437 1200
F 020 8734 1579
www.merchantivory.com
Website lists a comprehensive filmography and links for purchasing DVDs but no information about theatrical availability.
Metrodome Distribution
The Communications Building
48 Leicester Square
London
WC2H 7LT
T 020 7766 8600
F 020 7766 8620
www.metrodomegroup.com
Distributor of quality independent work. Recent releases include Thirst and First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Online catalogue with trailers, synopses, quotes, etc.
Contact Ratpack Films.
Miracle Communications
38 Broadhurst Avenue
Edgware
London
HA8 8TS
T 020 8958 8512
F 020 8958 5112
Also books films for Anchor Bay and Delanic Films.
Momentum Pictures
20 Soho Square
London
W1D 3QW
T 020 7534 0400
F 020 7534 0404
www.momentumpictures.co.uk
Major independent distributor releasing 15-20 titles a year. UK subsidiary of Canadian Alliance Atlantis. Recent releases include The Men Who Stare At Goats and District 13: Ultimatum.
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.
New Wave Films
10 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8RL
T 020 3178 7095
F 020 3008 6171
www.newwavefilms.co.uk
Recent releases include 35 Shots of Rum and Sleep Furiously.
Bookings available through Verve Pictures.
Optimum Releasing
50 Marshall Street
London
W1F 9BQ
T 020 7534 2700
F 020 7637 5408
www.optimumreleasing.com
Major independent distributor. Recent releases include 35 Shots of Rum and Tricks.
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.
Paramount Pictures
12 Golden Square
London
W1A 2JL
T 020 7534 5200
F 0207 534 5202
www.paramount.com
Recent releases include The Burning Plain and Watchmen
Park Circus Ltd
1 Park Terrace
Glasgow
G3 6BY
T 0141 332 2175
www.parkcircus.com
Specialises in the acquisition, distribution and sales of classic and back catalogue films. Recent releases include the From Russia With Love and the re-release of The Godfather. Also holds the theatrical rights to MGM and United Artists' back catalogues and handles bookings for Granada International.
Peccadillo Pictures Ltd
Unit 117 Panther House
38 Mount Pleasant
London
WC1X 0AN
www.peccadillopictures.com
Recent releases include Born in 68. Peccadillo also hold the rights to Millivres Multimedia back catalogue.
PPR
Hoxton Works 3.4
128 Hoxton Street
London
N1 6SH
T 020 7012 1770
F 020 7012 1771
www.parasolpeccadillo.com
Distributor and occasional producer. 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 Millenium 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. Recent releases include Sin Nombre and Vinyan.
Shorts International
6-8 Luke Street
London
EC2A 4XY
T 020 7613 5400
www.shortsinternational.com/
Distributor of British short films with a catalogue of over 1,000 titles.
Soda Pictures
17 Blossom Street
London
E1 6PL
T 020 7377 1407
F 020 7377 1406
www.sodapictures.com
Independent distributor of quality international cinema. Recent releases have include Home and Mad, Sad & Bad.
Sony Asia
34 Fouberts Place
London
W1V 2BH
T 020 7534 7575
F 020 7534 7585
Releases include Lagaan.
Sony Pictures Releasing
Europe House
25 Golden Square
London
W1R 6LU
T 020 7533 1111
F 020 7533 1105
www.sonypictures.co.uk
UK office of major international company distributing Columbia titles. Classics include Lawrence of Arabia, Gilda and Blue Velvet. Recent releases include District 9 and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs.
Spier Films
42 Vicarage Crescent
Battersea
London
SW11 3LD
T 020 7326 8461
F 020 020 7326 8448
www.spierfilms.com
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
Bookings available 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 has recently gone into administration. Previous Tartan Film titles are currently unavailable.
Trinity Filmed Entertainment
12 Mercer Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9QD
T 0207 240 0805
http://www.t-fe.com
Recent releases include Tales from the Golden Age and To Get To Heaven First You Have To Die.
Unanimous Pictures (formerly Halcyon Pictures)
3rd Floor, Kenilworth House
79-80 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8TA
T 0207 580 9979
F 0207 580 9981
Independent production company. Releases include Funny Games and Lemon Tree
Bookings available through Miracle Communications.
Universal
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
T 0207 307 1300
F 0207 307 1346
www.universalpictures.co.uk
Recent releases include Taking Woodstock and Inglourious Basterds
Vertigo Films
The Big Room Studios
77 Fortess Road
London
NW5 1AG
T 0207 428 7555
F 0207 485 9713
www.vertigofilms.com
UK production and distribution company, founded in 2002. Recent releases include The Cove and 1 Day.
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 Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee and The First Days of Spring.
Walt Disney
3 Queen Caroline Street
London
W6 9PE
T 020 8222 1000
F 020 8222 2827
www.thefilmfactory.co.uk
UK arm of Disney and Miramax. Recent titles include Adventureland and Up.
Warner Bros
98 Theobalds Road
London
WC1X 8WB
T 020 7984 5200
F 020 7984 5201
www.warnerbros.co.uk
Major distributor of a range of mainstream and cross-over films. Recent releases include Chéri and Shorts. Also hold the theatrical rights to the Pathé back catalogue.
Watchmaker Films
77 Carter Lane
London
EC4V 5EP
T 020 7332 0915
www.watchmakerfilms.com
Independent distributor.
Winchester Film Distribution
Bookings available through ContentFilm.
Winstone Distributors
18 Craignish Avenue
Norbury
London
W2 5PX
T 020 8765 0240
F 020 8765 0564
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
UK Production company, Sales and Distributor. Recent releases include Cold Souls and Fireflies in the Garden.
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.
