Distributors must inform the widest possible audience about the films they release, in order to help filmmakers to realise their full potential.  Distributors may either be 'majors', who are affiliated to Hollywood studios and handle their films, or 'independents' who are unaffiliated, and handle films made outside the Hollywood studio system.  Any Distributor may compete for the rights to release a film, whether for cinema, terrestrial television, satellite, the VHS/DVD market, or another ancillary market.  On each film Distributors liaise with a variety of professionals, including filmmakers and producers, film sales agents, publicists, advertising agencies, graphic artists, etc., to sell the film to the media, marketing partners, exhibitors (cinema operators), and the public.  Distributors must create an entirely new film release plan for each project, as all films are different, and their unique selling points must be maximised. 

Responsibilities
Distributors acquire a slate of films via deals with studios, and production companies, and/or through film sales agents who represent filmmakers.  These deals specify the Distributors' overall rights for a set period of time, and usually include the film's cinema release plan, its overall media promotion, and what edits and changes are allowable, e.g., to secure a particular classification.  They must create informed and inventive release plans for each film in their slate of films, in order to maximise profits and public awareness.  Distributors also oversee their films' accountancy procedures, and provide studios or producers with reports covering marketing plans, expenditure evaluations, forecasts, and revenue breakdowns. 

Skills
Distributors need to be inventive; they cannot rely too heavily on previous experience and techniques, as each film they distribute must be dealt with individually.  They must be able to identify each film's core target audience by various means, including: critical analysis of the script and production package; discussions with filmmakers; market research; awareness of box office figures; ongoing cinema and cultural trends, etc.  Distributors should combine their market knowledge, previous experience, and judgment, with a passion for film.  Once they have calibrated a film's target audience, in order to market it effectively they must use all their intuitive, creative and financial skills in such areas as negotiation, team building, salesmanship, and networking on a global level.

Qualifications/Experience
Distributors may have HE or FE degrees, but these qualifications are not mandatory.  Most often they have qualifications in Business, Marketing, Publicity, Sales, Administration and Finance.  Knowledge of film, and of the film industry, is vital, and can be acquired on specialist courses covering Film, Production, and Film History.  Distributors may also come from associated areas, such as marketing.  Many progress to this role by working within distribution companies, starting their careers in entry-level positions.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.