Distribution and Marketing Plan

Each film has a distribution plan in which the distributors decide when and how to release to the film to increase the chances of the film making the maximum amount of money possible for a profit. However it is expensive to release a film and you cannot count on the fact the audience will like it. So, the distributors conduct market research so they are able to examine what the audience reactions in the test-screenings are.  Distributors must bear in mind the target audience for the film and where it will promoted to grab the most awareness from this certain audience. They must also think about the other factors when releasing a film, for example:

• Is it a mainstream of niche film?
• Are there any big stars in the film?
• Are these stars able to attend UK premieres?
• Does the film have a particular theme meaning it has to be released in a certain month?

And there are many more.This is called a marketing plan.

Each film has a marketing plan in which distributors aim to increase the awareness of the film to people over the other films being released at the same time. Distributors are in competition with other past time activities and other distributors to persuade people to go and see their movie. To a distributor, positive word of the mouth is very important as it can give the movie a good reputation before it is even out. So it is key to have good advertising to lead to positive word of the mouth. Word of mouth can be spread very quickly on social networking sites all over the world, meaning if the film gets a negative word of the mouth review then it is less likely people will go see the film.

The movie poster for the movie is also very important. Distributors try their hardest to make the poster stand out in the cinemas and other various places like bus shelters, amongst the others. The posters are made by either the studio or sales agent and printed out internationally or made suitable locally. Distributors must bear in mind the different places they are going to place the advertising posters and trailers and the budget of the advertising. Before the actual release of the film, a teaser poster is made to grab peoples interests. Other than posters, distributors often release mini posters and banners for cinemas.


Distributors are given content from the movie such as trailers and small clips which are approved by the producers. Playing the trailer before the same genre movie in a cinema is a way to make a big profit as it grabs the attention of the cinema-enthusiasts. Also playing them online, where many people nowadays are, will help make a big profit, as film clips are one of the web's most search-for content. Many of the films nowadays have their own website, where tickets are available for the movie. For example: www.springbreakersmovie.com

Publicists of films put together 'press kits' which include crew lists and a synopsis of the film , for journalists. The material from the press kit are displayed online in press rooms.

Premieres for the official release of the film are organised by ditributors' publicists. However , they are very expensive and stars have a tight schedule , so organising the premiere is very difficult. Premieres offer the chance for fans to get up close with the stars and get photos and autographs- which is every fans dream. It also gives the opportunity of interviews with the cast and get most details on the film before it is released officially. Distributors may hold touring displays in shopping centres of presentations at movie conventions as well as the premiere, where fans also get to meet the cast.