A film is completed and sent to the studio that owns its rights. The studio makes a licensing agreement with a distribution company. The distribution company determines how many copies (prints) of the film to make and screens the movie to prospective buyers representing the theaters. The buyers negotiate with the distribution company to get a lease agreement. The films are then sent to the theaters a few days before the opening day.
Digital vs. Traditional Film Distribution
Whereas film reels have to be shipped to movie theaters, a digital movie can be distributed to cinemas in a number of ways: over the Internet or dedicated satellite links, or by sending hard drives or optical discs such as Blu-ray discs. Distributing films is the final stage of film making which follows pre-production, production, and then postproduction of the movie.
Role of Movie Distributors
The distributor plays a vital role in the success of the motion picture industry, by making sure that films are seen by audiences in a timely manner and making sure that the films are properly promoted. The role of the movie distributor begins with the acquisition of the film.
There are two types of film distribution: wide release and limited release. Wide release is when a film is distributed to many theaters across the country. This is the most common type of distribution. Limited release is when a film is distributed to only a few theaters in a specific area. This is less common than wide release.
Delivery of New Films to Theaters
Assuming that most modern theaters have migrated to a digital format, encrypted hard drives with the file in a proprietary format are delivered to theaters. A Reddit user shared photos of a hard drive used to deliver films, explaining the process.
Movie Distribution Steps
There are three primary steps in the movie distribution process: licensing, marketing, and delivery. Licensing means the studio signs a contract with a distribution company. Marketing involves promoting the film. Delivery refers to getting the film to theaters.