Distribution and rights

Ownership of film 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, film prints for theatrical and non-theatrical screenings are often licensed to distribution companies who will not hold any further rights to the materials they handle.

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

• Private enquiries concerning which TV channel may currently hold rights to show a film should be made directly to broadcasters rather than to the film's distributors
• Enquiries about video labels or video availability should be directed to local video retailers
• Distributors or rights holders to a film will not usually supply an individual copy to private enquirers
• For advice on booking a film for a screening, please see Organising a Screening

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.