Momentum Pictures

Alliance Films (UK) Limited
Momentum Pictures
FormerlyAlliance - Electric Releasing Limited (1997)
Alliance Electric Releasing Limited (1997)
Alliance Releasing Limited (1997-2001)
Alliance Atlantis Releasing Limited (2001-2010)[1]
IndustryFilm distribution
Founded1997 (1997)
Defunct2013 (2013)
FateAbsorbed by Entertainment One
SuccessorsEntertainment One UK
HeadquartersLondon, England, United Kingdom
ProductsMotion pictures
ParentAlliance Communications (1997-1998)
Alliance Atlantis Communications (1998–2003)
Alliance Films (2003–2013)
Websitemomentumpictures.net

Alliance Films (UK) Limited, trading as Momentum Pictures, was a film distributor owned by Alliance Films and operated as their UK division. It was one of the leading independent distributors of films in the UK and Ireland until being folded into Entertainment One in 2013 following the purchase of Alliance Films by the company.

Entertainment One later revived the brand in 2015 to release independent films in North America and other international territories. This incarnation of the distributor would be folded in 2023 after the sale of Entertainment One to Lionsgate.

History

In February 1997, Canadian distributor Alliance Communications announced that they would enter the UK film market by forming a joint-venture with independent distributor Electric Pictures which was originally called Alliance Releasing UK.[2]

In August 1999, German distributor Kinowelt announced that they had taken a 50% stake in the UK distribution company Alliance Atlantis Releasing from Alliance Atlantis.[3][4] By May 2000, the venture Alliance Atlantis Releasing was renamed as Momentum Pictures.[5] Kinowelt attempted to purchase AAL's stake in Momentum Pictures as late as 2001, but were unable to do so due to their fiancial issues.[6] Eventually, the joint-venture partnership would fall through between companies, and Momentum reverted to being a fully-owned subsidiary of AAL.[7]

In 2003, AAL announced plans to spin off the company and its own Canadian theatrical division as an income fund business, entitled Motion Picture Distribution LP, of which they would hold a majority interest.[8] The deal closed a month later in October.[9]

After the breakup of Alliance Atlantis in 2007, Motion Picture Distribution LP, including Momentum, was sold to EdgeStone Capital Partners[10] with GS Capital Partners keeping the other stake. In September, the business became known as Alliance Films.

On May 28, 2012, Entertainment One announced that they would purchase Alliance Films,[11][12] which would be completed on January 9, 2013.[13] Afterwards, Momentum Pictures was folded into Entertainment One's UK theatrical operations.[14] Despite this, the company remains as a dormant business to this day, currently being under Lionsgate UK ownership.[15]

Revival

Momentum Pictures
Company typePublic
IndustryFilm distribution
Founded2015 (2015)
Defunct2023 (2023)
FateAbsorbed by Entertainment One
SuccessorsStudio: eOne Films
Library: Lionsgate
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
ProductsMotion pictures
ParentEntertainment One (2015–2023)
Websitemomentumpictures.net

In September 2015, Entertainment One announced that it would revive the Momentum Pictures brand as a label used for "films for digital and ancillary exploitation on a global basis." The label then signed a distribution agreement with Orion Pictures to release their movies in North America and select international territories..[16]

Theatrical releases

Pre-2015 release dates are United Kingdom only.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

Awards

In February 2011, Momentum Pictures won eight BAFTA awards, more than any other UK distributor. Seven awards went to The King's Speech, including Best Film and Best Actor. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo won Best Film Not in the English Language.

References

  1. ^ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03408170
  2. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (1997-02-26). "U.K. Alliance goes Electric". Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  3. ^ Swedko, Pam (August 9, 1000). "AAC's $400M partner". Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  4. ^ Variety Staff (1999-08-02). "Kinowelt takes stake in Alliance Atlantis". Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  5. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (2000-05-10). "Momentum rolls with 'Brother,' 'Bullwinkle'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  6. ^ https://variety.com/2001/film/news/momentum-develops-under-kosse-1117798360/
  7. ^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bankrupt-german-firm-dumps-last-of-alliance-atlantis-stock/article25577437/
  8. ^ "AAC to spin off distribution unit". Playback. September 15, 2003.
  9. ^ "Movie Distribution Acquires Canadian and UK Motion-Picture Businesses". Lexpert. October 13, 2003.
  10. ^ "EdgeStone Capital Partners acquires 49% of Canada's MPD". Screen Daily. June 26, 2007.
  11. ^ "EOne confirms talks to buy Alliance Films". Archived from the original on 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  12. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy. Canada's eOne Confirms It Will Acquire Alliance Films For $230M. Deadline Hollywood (September 7, 2012)
  13. ^ "Entertainment One ready to close Alliance deal". CBC News. Canadian Press. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  14. ^ https://deadline.com/2015/09/eone-momentum-pictures-orion-releasing-partnership-toronto-film-festival-2015-1201519511/
  15. ^ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03408170
  16. ^ "eOne Revives Momentum Pictures and Partners With Orion For Films — Toronto". Deadline. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
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