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StudioCanal UK

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StudioCanal Limited
Formerly
  • Tidalgate 2000 Limited (1998–1999)[1]
  • Optimum Releasing Limited (1999–2011)[1]
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFilm distributor
PredecessorCanal+ Image (as a label in the UK)
Founded9 October 1998; 26 years ago (1998-10-09) (As Tidalgate 2000 Limited)[1]
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsFeature films
ParentStudioCanal (2006–present)
SubsidiariesElevation Sales (joint venture with Lionsgate UK)
Websitewww.studiocanal.co.uk

StudioCanal Limited is the official branch of StudioCanal in the UK.[2] The company releases many films, including foreign, anime (mostly Studio Ghibli (until 2024)), independent, art, British, Irish and American films in the United Kingdom.

History

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Optimum Releasing (1999–2011)

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The company was founded in October 1998, and began operation as Optimum Releasing in May 1999. The company, at the time, was exclusively a theatrical distributor, holding distribution of new releases and UK rights to the back catalogues of other companies. Optimum's first theatrical release was a restored version of The Third Man, licensed from Le Studio Canal+, and was released in July of that year, on the same weekend as the anticipated UK release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.[3]

The company launched a Home Entertainment division in 2004,[4] and released material under several banners:

  • Optimum Home Entertainment (Used for mainstream DVD and Blu-Ray releases)
  • Optimum Classic (Used for re-releases of back catalogue films)
  • Optimum World (Used for world cinema releases)
  • Optimum Asia (Used for Asian & Anime releases)

Optimum released over two hundred films a year and were one of the most prominent distributors in the independent film and world cinema market in the United Kingdom since the closure of Tartan Films in June 2008. In May 2006, Optimum Releasing was acquired by French film producer and distributor StudioCanal, a subsidiary of Vivendi's Canal+ Group, for £22–25 million, marking a re-entry into an international market for StudioCanal.[5] Since then, StudioCanal now releases films from their back catalogue including those from the Carolco Pictures and EMI Films libraries through Optimum Releasing under the Optimum Classic banner.

Some of the last titles released under the Optimum Releasing name include Kill List, The Guard, and a re release of Whisky Galore!.[6]

StudioCanal UK (2011–present)

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In September 2011, Optimum Releasing was rebranded under the StudioCanal name. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Tyrannosaur, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, The Awakening, and W.E. were among the first films released under the new name.[6]

In December 2022, the company sued Wild Bunch International over their British/Irish Studio Ghibli contract, citifying that Wild Bunch International's deal with Netflix for the Ghibli catalogue breached an agreement over standalone streaming rights where Wild Bunch claimed that "non-internet" steaming platforms "don't exist". WBI counter-sued StudioCanal UK, where they citified that their distribution deal was recouping distribution expenses against all forms of distribution, and not theatrical as they originally claimed.[7] As of 2023 with the release of The Boy and the Heron, Elysian Film Group officially took over as Ghibli's distributor in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

StudioCanal UK distributed the release of the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black (2024), directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson who previously did Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015). The film was released on 12 April 2024.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Studiocanal Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 9 October 1998. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  2. ^ Hopewell, John (30 June 2011). "StudioCanal rebrands Optimum, Kinowelt". Variety. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Harry in the shadow". TheGuardian.com. 10 July 1999.
  4. ^ reporters2006-05-04T10:26:00+01:00, Staff. "StudioCanal to acquire UK distributor Optimum Releasing". Screen.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ James, Alison; Dawtrey, Adam (7 May 2006). "Studio Canal moves into Blighty". Variety. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Yossman, K.J. (21 December 2022). "Studiocanal Launches Legal Battle Over Studio Ghibli Netflix Deal". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (11 July 2022). "Amy Winehouse Biopic 'Back To Black' Moving Forward At Studiocanal With Sam Taylor-Johnson Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
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