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Altitude Film Distribution
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Altitude Film Distribution is a British film distribution company, part of the Altitude Film Entertainment group.[1] The parent company was launched in 2012 by Optimum Releasing founder Will Clarke. Altitude Film Entertainment is vertically integrated, with divisions that handle film production, finance and international sales, as well as UK distribution.[2]
Key Information
History
[edit]Altitude Film Distribution's first release came in 2014 with the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, which was followed by Fruitvale Station and Abel Ferrara's Welcome to New York. In 2015, Altitude released Ira Sachs' Love Is Strange; a biopic film, Amy, about the British singer Amy Winehouse, which was directed by Asif Kapadia and was released in cinemas on 3 July 2015 in the United Kingdom; international espionage thriller Spooks: The Greater Good; and Narcopolis, a science fiction film. In 2016, they released Bolshoi Babylon, a behind-the-scenes portrait of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre. On 27 April 2016 it was announced that Altitude would partner with the British Academy Award winning film director Kevin Macdonald, on a new documentary film on Whitney Houston's life and death. It was released in 2018. It's been revealed that the movie is to include rare unheard tracks & performances, with family members & friends to help build up the film through recorded interviews and archive footage.[3]
In 2023, Altitude Film gave limited theatrical releases in the United Kingdom for Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, a universally panned indie slasher film starring Nikolai Leon, Craig David Dowsett and Chris Cordell, and Wham!, a critically praised documentary film about the titular English pop duo consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.[4]
In 2024, Altitude Film released Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, the sequel to Blood and Honey, starring Scott Chambers (who is also the film's producer) and Simon Callow. The film divided critics, but many of them considered it an improvement over its predecessor.
Filmography
[edit]Select cinema releases
[edit]Home entertainment releases
[edit]| Title | Director |
|---|---|
| Flu | Sung-su Kim |
| Sx Tape | Bernard Rose |
| Dracula 3D | Dario Argento |
| All Cheerleaders Die | Lucky McKee, Chris Sivertson |
| Iceberg Slim | Jorge Hinojosa |
| Somm | Jason Wise |
| Narco Cultura | Shaul Schwarz |
| Torment | Jordan Barker |
| The Rendlesham UFO Incident | Daniel Simpson |
| Drew: The Man Behind The Poster | Erik Sharkey |
| Doc of the Dead | Alexandre O. Philippe |
| Wolves | David Hayter |
| Superfast! | Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer |
| Colt 45 | Fabrice Du Welz |
| The Dead 2 | Howard J. Ford, Jonathan Ford |
| Zombie Fight Club | Joe Chien |
| The Match | Jakov Sedlar, Dominik Sedlar |
Altitude Film Entertainment
[edit] | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Key people | Will Clarke (chairman & CEO) Andy Mayson (co-CEO) Mike Runagall (Management Director) Hamish Moseley (Managing Director) |
| Owner | 30West (minority stake)[10] |
| Subsidiaries | Altitude Film Distribution Altitude Film Production Altitude Film Sales Altitude Factual[11] |
| Website | www |
Altitude Film Entertainment is a British entertainment company. The company comprises Altitude Film Production led by Will Clarke chairman and joint-CEO with Andy Mayson; Altitude Film Sales with Managing Director Mike Runagall; and Altitude Film Distribution.[12]
On 21 February 2020, 30West acquired a minority stake in Altitude Film Entertainment.[10] On 4 March that same year, Altitude created Altitude Factual, a unit for natural history documentaries.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Kemp, Stuart (31 October 2013). "U.K. Sales and Production Banner Altitude Film Launches Distribution Division". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "About". Altitude Films. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Whitney Houston's life to be documented on film". BBC News. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ^ a b Macnab, Geoffrey. ""It's about two great friends who lived the dream," says Ventureland's John Battsek of Sheffield DocFest title 'Wham!'". Screen. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Heath, Paul (28 July 2018). "Black 47 trailer lands ahead of a UK release this September" The Hollywood News. Retrieved 20 August 2018
- ^ Black 47, Altitude Films Retrieved 20 August 2018
- ^ "The Real Charlie Chaplin - Documentary". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jean Trailer: Georgie Oakley's Astonishing Queer Drama To Hit UK Theaters In February". The Playlist. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (1 November 2022). "Viral Low-Budget Horror 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Getting Theatrical Release in U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ a b Leo Barraclough (21 February 2020). "30West to Acquire Stake in British Film Company Altitude". Variety. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ a b Ed Meza (4 March 2020). "Altitude Launches Natural History Documentary TV, Film Unit". Variety. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "About | Altitude Films". www.altitudefilment.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
Altitude Film Distribution
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Overview
Founding and Background
Altitude Film Distribution was established in October 2013 as the UK theatrical distribution arm of Altitude Film Entertainment, a vertically integrated company focused on production, financing, international sales, and distribution.[10][11] The parent company, Altitude Film Entertainment, was founded in May 2012 by Will Clarke, who previously established and led Optimum Releasing—a prominent British independent film distributor—before selling it to Studiocanal in 2006.[12][13] From its inception, Altitude Film Distribution operated from London, serving as a UK-based entity dedicated to handling the release of independent and mid-range films with a strong emphasis on commercial viability.[14] This approach aligned with the broader group's strategy of vertical integration, allowing seamless coordination across the film lifecycle to support indie projects with global potential while prioritizing market-driven outcomes.[12] Co-founded by Clarke alongside Andy Mayson, formerly head of sales at Working Title International and other major entities, the parent company provided the foundational infrastructure for the distribution arm's launch.[12]Key Personnel
Will Clarke serves as co-founder and co-CEO of Altitude Film Entertainment, the parent company of Altitude Film Distribution, bringing extensive experience from founding and running Optimum Releasing, which he sold to Studiocanal in 2006.[1][15] Clarke established Altitude in 2012, focusing on vertically integrated operations including distribution, and continues to oversee strategic decisions that emphasize theatrical releases for independent films.[16] Andy Mayson acts as co-CEO alongside Clarke, with a background in international film sales and production from board-level positions at companies including Working Title Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Icon Entertainment International, Exclusive Media, and Hammer Film Productions.[1][17] Mayson's expertise has been instrumental in building Altitude's sales and distribution arms since co-founding the company in 2012.[15] Mike Runagall holds the position of managing director of Altitude Film Sales, a key component supporting the distribution activities, with prior experience as senior vice president of international sales at Pathé International.[1][8] He joined Clarke and Mayson as a co-founder in 2012 and has led sales efforts for numerous independent titles over his tenure.[18] Other notable executives in distribution include Lia Devlin, who served as managing director of Altitude Film Distribution from 2021 until 2024, having joined the company in 2014 and overseen campaigns for over 150 films during her time there.[19][20][21] Following her departure in 2024, the managing director role has not been filled, with theatrical sales headed by Bryony Forde and home entertainment by Adam Eldrett. Currently, Bryony Forde heads theatrical sales, while Adam Eldrett leads home entertainment, both contributing to the operational execution of releases since at least 2024.[22][23] The leadership team, particularly Clarke and Mayson, has shaped Altitude Film Distribution's strategy toward mid-range independent films by prioritizing theatrical windows for genre-driven and original projects, such as supporting first-time filmmakers and aiming for commercial breakouts in the UK and Ireland market.[22] This approach, informed by their combined decades in sales, production, and distribution, enables targeted acquisitions and marketing for films with potential audience appeal beyond niche arthouse releases.[1]History
Inception and Early Development (2012–2015)
Altitude Film Distribution was established as the UK releasing arm of Altitude Film Entertainment, which was founded in May 2012 by Will Clarke, the former head of Optimum Releasing, alongside Andy Mayson and Mike Runagall.[2] The parent company initially focused on film production, financing, and international sales, starting with a small team of three and expanding to handle nearly 30 projects by 2015.[2] The distribution division launched in October 2013, earlier than originally planned, to capitalize on opportunities in the UK market for independent films.[10][24] The company's entry into theatrical distribution came with its first release, the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, directed by Morgan Neville, which hit UK cinemas in March 2014.[25] This film, a tribute to backup singers, marked Altitude's debut in the documentary space and helped establish its reputation for handling acclaimed indie titles.[26] Concurrently, Altitude began building its home entertainment portfolio with titles such as Dracula 3D (directed by Dario Argento) and Sx_Tape (directed by Bernard Rose), both released on DVD in 2014, targeting niche horror and thriller audiences. These early efforts focused on acquiring mid-budget international indies for UK rights, navigating a competitive landscape shaped by the consolidation of distributors like Studiocanal's acquisition of Optimum in 2006.[2] Operating in the post-Optimum era presented challenges, including adapting to shifting international tastes and rising marketing costs for indie releases, which prompted Altitude to emphasize vertically integrated strategies across production and distribution.[2] The company prioritized selective acquisitions of independent films with strong festival pedigrees or commercial potential, avoiding overextension in a market dominated by major studios.[27] A pivotal moment arrived with the July 3, 2015, release of Asif Kapadia's Amy, a documentary on singer Amy Winehouse that achieved the largest opening weekend ever for a British documentary in the UK, grossing over £1 million in its debut and solidifying Altitude's early market presence.[28][29] This success underscored the viability of Altitude's approach to championing bold, artist-driven indie content.[2]Expansion and Recent Milestones (2016–present)
Following the success of its early releases, such as the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom in 2014, Altitude Film Distribution built significant momentum in the post-Amy era, capitalizing on acclaimed acquisitions to establish itself as a key player in UK independent film distribution. A notable milestone came with the UK and Ireland release of Barry Jenkins' Moonlight on 17 February 2017, which earned critical acclaim and three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, demonstrating Altitude's ability to champion prestige arthouse titles with broad appeal. This momentum continued into the 2020s with the distribution of Lee Isaac Chung's Minari on 17 May 2021, an Oscar-nominated drama that highlighted the company's focus on diverse, immigrant narratives and contributed to its growing reputation for handling awards contenders amid a shifting market.[30][31][32] In 2020, talent management firm 30West acquired a significant stake in Altitude Film Entertainment, providing additional resources for expansion while retaining focus on mid-range, awards-oriented projects.[3] The company further expanded its documentary portfolio, achieving commercial and critical successes that underscored its versatility in the genre. In 2018, Altitude released Kevin Macdonald's Whitney on 6 July, an authorized portrait of Whitney Houston that received praise for its intimate exploration of the singer's life and career. Building on this, the 2023 release of Chris Smith's Wham! on 27 June marked another high-profile music documentary, offering archival insights into the pop duo's rise and attracting strong audience interest through a limited theatrical run before streaming availability. These projects not only diversified Altitude's slate but also reinforced its role in bringing culturally resonant non-fiction films to UK audiences.[33][34][35] Altitude ventured into genre filmmaking with the UK theatrical release of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey on 10 March 2023, a low-budget horror adaptation that sparked controversy and debate while achieving cult status and proving the company's willingness to experiment with provocative IP-driven content. The sequel, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, followed on 7 June 2024, expanding the franchise with a broader ensemble of characters and further highlighting Altitude's entry into horror territory as a means of audience engagement in a competitive landscape. These releases represented a strategic pivot toward elevated genre fare, balancing risk with commercial potential.[36][37] In 2025, Altitude reached a significant milestone with the UK release of Walter Salles' I’m Still Here on 21 February, a Brazilian family drama starring Fernanda Torres that broke records as the highest-grossing foreign-language film in British cinema history, earning over £4 million in its opening weekend across 141 sites and affirming the company's post-pandemic resilience. Acquired at the script stage in 2022 during the industry's recovery phase, this success exemplified Altitude's adaptations to evolving distribution dynamics, including hybrid models that integrated theatrical runs with rapid digital and streaming access to maximize reach amid heightened competition from platforms like Netflix. The company's expanded slate for 2024–2025, encompassing arthouse, genre, and documentaries, reflects ongoing growth through targeted acquisitions and a commitment to theatrical innovation in a streaming-dominated era.[38][39][22]Distribution Activities
Theatrical Releases
Altitude Film Distribution specializes in theatrical releases of independent films, documentaries, and genre titles across the UK and Ireland, often targeting arthouse audiences alongside commercial appeal.[22] The company's slate emphasizes elevated genre entries, broad arthouse dramas, and high-profile music documentaries, contributing to its reputation for diverse, risk-taking distribution.[22] Notable successes include Oscar-winning dramas and record-breaking horrors, demonstrating the distributor's ability to achieve commercial impact within the indie sector.[5] The following table highlights select theatrical releases, organized chronologically, showcasing key examples from the portfolio with UK release dates, genres, and brief notes on performance or impact where applicable.| Title | UK Release Date | Genre | Notable Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy | July 3, 2015 | Documentary | Asif Kapadia's Oscar-winning film on Amy Winehouse; grossed £3.5 million, a major box office hit for the distributor.[40] |
| Moonlight | February 17, 2017 | Drama | Barry Jenkins' Academy Award Best Picture winner; set a box office benchmark for Altitude at the time.[30][5] |
| The Florida Project | October 6, 2017 | Drama | Sean Baker's coming-of-age story; acquired at Cannes for UK release, praised for its raw portrayal of poverty.[41] |
| Loveless | November 10, 2017 | Drama | Andrey Zvyagintsev's Cannes Jury Prize winner; highlighted Altitude's arthouse focus.[41] |
| Maria by Callas | May 4, 2018 | Documentary | Tom Volf's portrait of the opera legend; added to slate alongside animated titles for diverse appeal.[42] |
| Where Is Anne Frank? | June 28, 2019 | Animation | Ari Folman's Anne Frank adaptation; bolstered Altitude's festival-to-theatrical pipeline.[42] |
| Little Monsters | November 1, 2019 | Horror Comedy | Lupita Nyong'o-starring zombie rom-com; part of expanded 2019 slate including Gorbachev doc.[43] |
| Unhinged | September 4, 2020 | Thriller | Russell Crowe road-rage actioner; released amid pandemic challenges, showcasing Altitude's awards-season contenders.[44] |
| Minari | April 30, 2021 | Drama | Lee Isaac Chung's Oscar-nominated family story; estimated £200,000 box office, emphasizing immigrant experiences.[45] |
| Silent Night | December 10, 2021 | Horror Drama | Ensemble holiday thriller with Keira Knightley; highlighted genre diversity in late-year release.[46] |
| All the Beauty and the Bloodshed | November 18, 2022 | Documentary | Laura Poitras' Venice Golden Lion winner on Nan Goldin; acquired for international sales and UK theatrical.[47] |
| Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey | March 10, 2023 | Horror | Low-budget slasher reimagining; limited theatrical run capitalizing on public domain IP.[48] |
| Talk to Me | July 27, 2023 | Horror | A24's possession thriller; opened to £643,354, surpassing Moonlight as Altitude's biggest UK debut.[5] |
| Io Capitano | October 20, 2023 | Drama | Matteo Garrone's Venice Silver Lion migrant tale; part of strong 2023 arthouse lineup.[46] |
| Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 | June 7, 2024 | Horror | Sequel to 2023's public domain slasher; theatrical release by Altitude in UK.[49] |
| Emmanuelle | January 17, 2025 | Drama | Audrey Diwan's erotic drama starring Noémie Merlant; UK theatrical by Altitude.[50] |
| I'm Still Here | February 21, 2025 | Drama | Brazilian historical drama; broke UK records for Latin American films with strong opening across 141 sites.[38] |
| Sister Midnight | March 14, 2025 | Horror Comedy | Karan Kandhari's dark comedy starring Radhika Apte; part of 2025 genre lineup.[51] |