128 individual companies in 28 European countries are profiled, with information on each company's history and ownership, on its editorial policy and on the films distributed.  A detailed financial analysis completes the portrait of each distributor.

A unique feature of this report is the comprehensive collection of distributor market share data that it provides.  Film Distribution Companies in Europe brings together in one publication market share data for almost all the countries covered, some of which have never been published before.

The study opens with a brief overview of the European distribution sector and a special economic analysis of its performance.  Highlights include the number of active distributors in each country, a look at the evolution of the number of new releases per territory over the last five years and the concentration of admissions around top distributors. 

The economic analysis compares the financial performances of European and US-controlled companies and includes a list of leading distributors by operating revenue.

Among the European-controlled companies, France's Metropolitan Filmexport and the United Kingdom's Entertainment Film Distributors are the leading players, closely followed by the French distribution branch of integrated group Pathé. 

Table 1: Leading European-controlled Film Distribution Companies in the European Union ( 2001-2005)

Source: European Audiovisual Observatory

Three of the companies shown above have direct links to broadcasters; the Italian companies Medusa Film (linked to private television group Mediaset) and 01 Distribution (part of public service broadcaster RAI), and French company SND (owned by commercial television group M6).  Two vertically integrated Nordic groups, Nordisk Film (part of the Egmont media conglomerate) and Svensk Filmindustri (which belongs to the Swedish Bonnier group) are also included, though the revenue figures shown here for these companies may include activities other than film distribution.  Italian distributor Eagle Pictures and Spanish film and television group Filmax complete the ranking.   It is worth noting that this list includes some of Europe's oldest entertainment companies, ranging from Pathé, founded at the end of the 19^th century, to Nordisk Film, which celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 2006, to Svensk Filmindustri, created in 1919 from the merger of two older Swedish exhibitors.

In addition to the pan-European ranking shown here the report also includes lists of leading distributors in individual countries, ranked by their operating revenue.  Many of Europe's key markets, with the exception of Germany, are covered, which provides a fascinating insight into the respective financial weight of the major players in each country.

The chief focus is, however, on the individual companies who distribute non-national European films.  The study illustrates the enormous diversity of the enterprises involved, in terms of their size, structure and strategy, in terms of their links with other parts of the value chain and in terms of the composition of their distribution slates.  These companies, in common with all theatrical distributors, face important challenges in the near future, as digital cinema becomes a reality and new distribution platforms multiply.

Film Distribution Companies in Europe provides a unique portrait of a highly competitive sector and is an essential guide to understanding 128 companies playing a key role in the promotion of European cinema.

Notes for Editors

General remarks