Film Distribution: Connecting Films with Audiences

Get an introduction to how the UK film business works

With over 800 films a year being released, the choice for cinema goers is massive and ever-changing. How do we, as members of the film audience, find out about films? What methods are available to film distributors to attract our attention to specific films in the digital age? In such a crowded marketplace, how do films find their audiences?

Through this online course, you’ll discover the ways in which films make their way to cinemas and beyond through the film distribution process. You’ll find out how film distributors play a pivotal role in connecting films with audiences.

This course is aimed at anyone interested in the world of film and film distribution, but may be of particular interest to students and teachers of media and film studies.

• Audiences, films and distributors
• Welcome to Film Distribution – Connecting Films with Audiences.
• You and film
• Film distribution and the film chain
• Acquisitions, markets and festivals
• The crowded marketplace
• What is the attraction?
• Starting to plan
• It’s a wrap!
• What, who and when
• Welcome to Week 2
• What is this film?
• Genres and franchises
• Who is the audience?
• Releasing a film
• Conclusion – and cut!
• Creating the Campaign
• Welcome to Week 3
• Elements of a marketing campaign
• The costs of a campaign
• Marketing methods
• Film classification
• Conclusion – and running!
• On screen and beyond
• Welcome to Week 4
• Reviews, festivals and awards
• Film in the cinema
• Beyond the cinema
• Copyright
• Conclusion