Login
Login

Lionsgate UK

{{Short description|Film production company}}

{{redirect|Simon Franks|the musician|Audio Bullys}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Lions Gate UK Limited

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| logo = File:Lionsgate Logo.svg

| logo_size = 200px

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2006

| map =

| map_size =

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| abbreviation =

| predecessor = Redbus Film Distribution

| merged =

| successor =

| foundation = {{start date and age|1997}} (as Redbus Film Distribution)

| founders = {{unbulleted list | Simon Franks | Zygi Kamasa}}

| founding_location =

| extinction =

| defunct =

| type = Division

| industry = Film

| vat_id =

| registration_id =

| location = London, England

| coords =

| region =

| services = Film

| products =

| parent = Lionsgate Films (2005–present)

| owner =

| subsid = {{Ubl

| Elevation Sales (joint venture with StudioCanal UK)

| Primal Media

| Potboiler Television (joint venture with Potboiler Productions)

}}

| former_names =

{{Ubl

| Ibis (594) Limited (August 2000–September 2000)

| Quantum Entertainment Limited (September 2000–March 2001){{Cite web |date=2000-08-03 |title=Lions Gate UK Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04046807 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Companies House |language=en}}

| Redbus Film Distribution Limited (March–June 2001; June 2003–February 2006)

| Helkon SK Film Distribution Limited (June 2001–June 2003)

}}

| footnotes =

| website = {{URL|https://lionsgatefilms.co.uk/}}

}}

Lions Gate UK Limited (formerly Redbus Film Distribution, and briefly known as Helkon SK between 2001 and 2003) is the British subsidiary of the American film company, Lionsgate Studios.

Founded in 1999 by Simon Franks and Zygi Kamasa, Redbus has distributed and produced many films for the United Kingdom; such as Bend It Like Beckham, What's Cooking?, Cabin Fever, Jeepers Creepers, It's All Gone Pete Tong, and Good Night, and Good Luck. Redbus' first theatrical film to be released was The Tichborne Claimant in 1999.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/1999/film/news/rookie-indie-redbus-adopts-baby-rights-1117756811/|title= Rookie indie Redbus adopts ‘Baby’ rights|date= October 20, 1999|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}}

In October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus and rebranded it under its current name. Its home media company, Redbus Home Entertainment, would also rebrand as Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK. Redbus's film releases were formerly distributed on home video by Warner Home Video until 2006.{{cite web |url= https://www.screendaily.com/redbus-warner-strike-video-pact/403235.article|title= Redbus, Warner strike video pact|date= August 8, 2000|access-date= October 3, 2024|first= Adam|last= Minns|work= Screen Daily}}

History

Redbus Film Distribution was formed in 1999. According to an investment prospectus filed in March 1999, it was funded to the tune of £250,000, and took its name from Cliff Stanford's Redbus Group SA."Companies House" [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03622388/filing-history?page=5]

The prospectus stated that its goals were to co-produce and distribute 10-12 full length feature films annually to the cinema, video and television markets in the UK.

On 14 March 2000, Redbus made a deal with German media company Helkon Media AG to acquire film rights for both of the companies' respective regions.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/distribs-helkon-redbus-ink-acquisition-alliance-1117779455/|title= Distribs Helkon, Redbus ink acquisition alliance|date= March 14, 2000|access-date= October 2, 2024|work= Variety}} Helkon would later purchase a majority stake in the company in October of the same year.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2001/film/news/redbus-suit-seeks-helkon-cash-1117794603/|title= Redbus suit seeks Helkon cash|date= March 4, 2001|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}} However, their failure to pay one-half of the first $16 million (£11,954,176.00) installation would lead to Stanford suing the company. Helkon would quickly pay the other half, leading to the lawsuit being dropped and their final acquisition of Redbus.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2001/film/news/redbus-suit-seeks-helkon-cash-1117794603/|title= Redbus suit seeks Helkon cash|date= March 4, 2001|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}}{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2001/biz/news/helkon-inks-for-51-of-redbus-1117797834/|title= Helkon inks for 51% of Redbus|date= April 25, 2001|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}} Following this, Redbus changed its name to Helkon SK, to reflect their partnership with Helkon Media.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/redbus-dons-a-new-name-slate-of-pix-1117799079/|title= Redbus dons a new name, slate of pix|date= May 10, 2001|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}}

On 4 August 2002, Helkon Media filed for insolvency, leading to Franks and Kamasa buying back full ownership of the company.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/helkon-media-s-latest-teutonic-bankruptcy-1117870725/|title= Helkon Media’s latest Teutonic bankruptcy|date= August 4, 2002|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Ed|last= Meza|work= Variety}}{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/united-kingdom-9-1117874913/|title= United Kingdom|date= October 27, 2002|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Julie|last= Richard|work= Variety}} The company officially rebranded back to Redbus on 6 May 2003, and was also restructured, with Franks running the core distribution company and Kamasa in charge of a new production arm.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2003/film/news/helkon-rebrands-as-redbus-1117885700/|title= Helkon rebrands as Redbus|date= May 6, 2003|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}} All of Helkon's ownership was finally absolved in February 2005.{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2005/film/columns/redbus-gets-back-in-saddle-again-1117926027/|title= Redbus gets back in saddle again|date= July 17, 2005|access-date= October 2, 2024|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|work= Variety}}

On 17 October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus Film Distribution for $35 million.[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lions-gate-entertainment-acquires-leading-uk-filmed-entertainment-distributor-redbus-film-distribution-limited-55382792.html Strategic Acquisition Enables Lions Gate to Self-Distribute in the UK and Adds to Company's Library and Pipeline]{{Cite web |url=https://www.slaughterandmay.com/news-and-recent-work/recent-work/recent-work-items/2005/redbus---sale-of-redbus-film-distribution-to-lions-gate-entertainment.aspx |title=Redbus - Sale of Redbus Film Distribution to Lions Gate Entertainment |access-date=2012-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224085556/http://www.slaughterandmay.com/news-and-recent-work/recent-work/recent-work-items/2005/redbus---sale-of-redbus-film-distribution-to-lions-gate-entertainment.aspx |archive-date=2013-12-24 |url-status=dead }} and became Lionsgate UK on 23 February 2006."Screen Daily" [https://www.screendaily.com/redbus-rebranded-as-lionsgate-uk/4026296.article Redbus rebranded as Lionsgate UK] screendaily.com, Retrieved on 15 June 2012"Variety" [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117938738?refcatid=13 Redbus now Lionsgate] variety.com, Retrieved on 15 June 2012

Films

See Lists of Lionsgate films for films the company released in the U.S. as well.

1999:

2000:

2001:

2002:

  • Repli-Kate
  • The Mothman Prophecies{{cite web |url= https://www.screendaily.com/mothman-leads-openers-oceans-goes-top/408546.article|title= Mothman leads openers, Ocean's goes top|date= March 5, 2002|access-date= October 1, 2024|first= Robert|last= Mitchell|work= Screen Daily}}
  • Sidewalks of New York
  • Bend It Like Beckham
  • A Walk to Remember{{cite web |url= https://www.screendaily.com/ex-helkon-trio-goes-solo/4011060.article|title= Ex-Helkon trio goes Solo|date= November 3, 2002|access-date= October 3, 2024|first= Mike|last= Goodridge|work= Screen Daily}}
  • Bollywood Queen
  • Steal
  • Live Forever

2003:

2004:

2005:

2006:

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

2011:

2012:

2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

2017:

2018:

2019:

2020:

2021:

2022

2023:

2024:

2025:

TBA:

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://www.lionsgatefilms.co.uk/}}

{{Lionsgate}}

{{Cinema of the United Kingdom}}

Category:Film distributors of the United Kingdom

Category:British companies established in 1997

Category:Entertainment companies established in 1997

Category:Lionsgate Studios

Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Mass media companies based in London

Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies