Possible film distributor- StudioCanal UK

logo from 1999-2011

One possible film distributor that could distribute our up coming film could be: StudioCanal UK, which was formally known as Optimum Releasing. The distribution company first appeared in 1999, where they wanted to be a modern and independent distributor of new releases. Films were released under 4 strands; Optimum Releasing (new theatrical releases), Optimum Home Entertainment (new DVD and Blu-ray releases), Optimum Classic (DVD re-releases of back catalogue films), and Optimum World (new and back catalogue world cinema releases). However, then in 2011 it was acquired by a French film producer and distributor and this is where it acquired a new name 'StudioCanal UK'. Studio Canal was already within the French film domain but through acquiring Optimum releasing it has aloud the company to step foot into an international market.

StudioCanal UK has distributed films from;

 'Submarine'

Original US film poster for Submarine
 

Submarine is a coming of age comedy drama, adapted from the 2008 novel 'submarine' by Joe Dunthorne. The film was directed by Richard Ayoade and was produced by both Film4 productions, Warp films, UK film council and a series of others. The film  had a limited budget of 1.5million but at the box office made 3.8 million through numerous positive critics submissions on rotten tomatoes( gained 88% from 114 critics reviews).  The film used a British cast from actors such as Craig Roberts who is known for starring in the hit CBBC show 'Tracey Beaker' and 'young Dracula', Yasmin Paige mainly known for starring in the Sarah Jane adventures and then Sally Hawkins who has featured in numerous British films from 'made in Dagenham, Blue Jasmin and Paddington. The film also featured 6 songs from the Arctic monkeys member 'Alex Turner' from Sheffield. The soundtrack later went onto chart at 35 in the UK album chart. 

This is England

 

 

This is England is a British drama written and directed by Shane Meadows. The narrative focuses on the skin head subculture that emerged within Britain through the 1960s and exposes how 'white nationalistic' views were a key part of the skinhead scene. The film also highlights what the skinhead scene was mainly influenced by and how life was back in the 1960s for both adolescents and other age groups. The film was distributed by Optimum Releasing and had a limited budget of £1.5 million, however at the Box office made £5 million. The film had that much of a success it was later adopted into a TV series on channel4; 'this is England 86' and went onto having numerous following series. The film also casted a British cast; from 'jack O'Connell' known for playing 'cook' in the hit TV series 'skins', Chanel Creswell and Stephen graham. The film locations also kept to British roots by being shot in Grimsby, Nottingham and  was shot in the geographical area of the midlands. The success was gained through numerous review aggregators, such as  Rotten Tomatoes. They reported that 93% of critics gave the film positive reviews(based on 89 reviews).

 

Optimum Releasing is an ideal distributor, due to the access it has within the film domain on an international demographic scale. Another factor is how it also enables independent film producers to uphold niche genres. For instance Submarine was Ayoade's directorial debut which establishes how Optimum Releasing offers new and upcoming directors the chance to proceed their film ideas. In comparison with choosing a multi media conglomerate to distribute the film I personally feel that due to how niche our genre is and how the Target Audience may be considered 'limited'. Choosing an independent distributor would give our film more overall success as the company would have had previous films similar or have distributed films with a niche TA etc. Optimum releasing also has specific contacts- such as film festivals i.e. Sundance. This would therefore give our film the most suitable and reliable chance to succeeded. As those typically who go to film festivals are open minded to niche genres.