Distribution and rights

Ownership of film and TV libraries can be subject to change through sales, take-overs and mergers. In many cases, one company may also own the back library of another for certain rights purposes and for certain licensed periods. For example, theatrical and non-theatrical screenings are often licensed to distribution companies who will not hold any further rights to the titles they handle.

The information found here serves as a basic guide to this complex subject and should be used only as a starting point for further research.

The Hollywood studios

Brief summaries of the circumstances surrounding the major Hollywood studios.

British rights and distribution histories

Details of the main British film catalogue owners; current information on British film and television companies and collections of the past.

For advice on booking a film for a screening, please see Organising a Screening.

Current contact information for UK film distributors can be found in our Researchers' Guide directory.

For personal enquiries on distribution and rights, please note the following recommendations:

• enquiries about DVD availability should be directed to retailers, for further details see Is it available?
• distributors or rightsholders to a film or TV programme will not usually supply copies to private enquirers