Institutions that might produce, distribue and exhibit my film.

There are three fundamental segments of making a film and getting it our into the world so others can view it, these basics are:

• The production of a film includes writing the script, pitching to a studio, setting a budget, recruiting a crew, casting, filming and editing.

• The distribution of film is the more legal side of the filmmaking process and includes acts such as buying rights, making licensing agreements and negotiating selling the lease of the film to buyers.

• The exhibition of the film is how the film will reach the public i.e. via cinemas, DVDs, online and television.

During the production process those involved must always consider who is involved for example, the director, cast and crew. The genre and USP must be focal points within the production because if these were lost then the film's entire meaning and target audience could be thrown into question. Sound effects are usually included during the editing process but must be thought about when filming footage for the film, all elements of the production process intertwine and must be within the thoughts of all involved.  In order for a film to enter the production process it must have investors to provide funding which is necessary, many investors become rather involved with the making of the film so that they can keep an eye on how their money is being used to ensure that they will not loose money when the film goes to box office.

Every distributor within the industry is different with some releasing only a few films a year whilst other release 25 - 30 per year. Typically in the UK around 500 films will be released per year which all compete for screen time and publicity, the market is very competitive with exposure and feedback changing radically. Some well known distribution companies include that of Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Columbia, Paramount and many more.

The process of starting production to exhibition of the film goes as flows:

1. Producer acquires rights to the film story 
2. Screen Play is developed
3. The cast and crew are confirmed
4. the footage is shot either on location or in studios
5. Post production commences which included editing etc.
6. A copy is distributed to a distributor
7. The distributor decides the release date and promotion strategy
8. Distributor presents film to exhibitors and makes agreements
9. Exhibition commences

Now that films are created digitally it makes it far cheaper to produce, distribute and exhibit. Independent filmmakers can produce prints (a copy of a film that is provided to a movie theatre for exhibition) at a lower cost which means they will loose a less significant amount of money if the film doesn't do as well as hoped in cinemas. This ease of producing should in theory make it far easier for independent British films to be screened in more cinemas across the country.

The BFI (British Film Industry) was created to help develop and promote the film industry within the UK. It's core functions are distributing funding from the national lottery, production, supporting distribution of films and many more. In 2011/12 the BFI's lottery fund it distributed increased to  a total of £18m.

The use of social networking sites and self promotion on the internet also allows people to make independent films which they can be wholly responsible for and not require any middle man. Today many people make short films which are posted to YouTube, these are increasing in popularity and many YouTubers have been able to get funding from outside companies and have help in screening their works in cinemas.