Film Distribution Companies
Lights, camera, action! Filmmakers make the movies we love to watch, but it’s the film distributors who make sure those films reach audiences around the world.
Juno Films works with both scripted narrative and documentary filmmakers to offer all rights releases, including theatrical, VOD and DVD. They also distribute to non-theatrical markets, such as worldwide cruise lines, U.S. colleges and universities, American military hospitals, Amtrak trains and correctional facilities.
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a major film production company that creates and distributes theatrical and non-theatrical filmed entertainment for a global audience. Its films include movies developed internally, as well as co-productions and acquisitions. The company also operates a distribution division that licenses its vast film and television portfolio to other distributors.
The studio is based in Universal City, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, California, near Glendale and Los Angeles International Airport. Its studio facilities include the world’s largest full-service production facility, Universal City Studios, with 30 sound stages and a backlot that can replicate any location in the world.
In addition to releasing blockbuster movies, Universal Pictures has also created a number of specialty divisions such as Gramercy Pictures and October Films. These companies specialize in distributing independent and art-house movies. They are led by Chairman Barry Diller and CEO Howard Cohen. Another notable company is Bleecker Street, which has released critically acclaimed movies like Trumbo and Beirut.
Entertainment One
The company specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of entertainment content. It also focuses on building relationships with premier partners to deliver epic stories across theatres, homes and beyond. Its diversified expertise includes film and television production and global sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing. Its robust network includes newly-launched eOne Makeready with Brad Weston; the Mark Gordon Company; leading film production and distribution companies Sierra Pictures and Renegade 83; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and creative digital agency Secret Location.
Its theatrical, broadcast, streaming, DVD and video on demand releases include the Oscar-winning Green Book and France’s Best Foreign Language winner Juste la fin du monde. It also distributes films from the Cannes Film Festival and a range of other major international festivals. Its acclaimed Kino Lorber Studio Classics label releases 35 titles theatrically each year. The company also offers educational distribution options through partnerships with filmmakers. In addition, it has a library of more than 4,000 titles.
Juno Films
Juno is the story of a whip-smart 16-year-old named Juno Macguff who discovers she is pregnant with her classmate Paulie Bleeker’s child and decides to give it up for adoption to an affluent middle-class couple (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). The film is a coming-of-age comedy written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman. It received widespread acclaim from critics, who placed it on many year-end best-of lists.
Juno stars Elliot Page as the title character, a teen who confronts her unplanned pregnancy and finds the support of a hot best friend (Leah) and her parents. The film was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and features a soundtrack of cool indie music. The film’s visual style evokes the feel of disposable camera photography. Its use of 900 hand-cut images and hamburger phones contribute to the movie’s quirky, offbeat tone. In addition, the film is a wry comedy with themes that appeal to teenagers. It has received mixed reviews from abortion activists and pro-choice advocates.
Magnolia Pictures
The film distribution process can take many forms. Sometimes a filmmaker chooses to release his or her film in theaters, which can be an effective way to get initial public exposure and generate publicity. However, other filmmakers may prefer to use digital distribution platforms such as Netflix and Hulu to make their films available to a wider audience.
The company specializes in independent films and foreign titles. It has an extensive portfolio of award-winning films and boasts a strong international sales presence. Recent releases include Cannes Palme d’Or winner Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s critically acclaimed drama; Support the Girls, Andrew Bujalski’s highly-anticipated film starring New York Film Critics Circle Best Actress winner Regina Hall; and Oscar nominee RBG, Betsy West and Julie Cohen’s documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Founded in 2001 by Bill Banowsky and Eamonn Bowles, Magnolia distributes its own films through Magnet Releasing. The company also partners with other distributors to release films that are too niche or difficult for the major studios to take on.