13/04/2011

Twelve leading British independent distributors have teamed to form the Independent Film Distributors’ Association (IFDA), a body that will be a unified voice for the sector.

Founder companies are Artificial Eye, Dogwoof, eOne, Icon, Lionsgate UK, Metrodome, Momentum Pictures, Optimum Releasing, Revolver, Soda Pictures, Vertigo and Verve Pictures.

eOne’s Director of Film Alex Hamilton will be the organisation’s chair in the first year while Verve Director Colin Burch will be vice-chair. IFDA will meet six times a year with the first meeting scheduled for May 1.

Hamilton said, “At times of considerable change and challenge in the UK marketplace, companies of all shapes and sizes have come together in a spirit of enthusiasm and collaboration to see if we can, on occasion, speak with one voice. The companies who’ve signed up to the association cover almost the entirety of the independent sector and we hope that we can make a contribution across a wide range of industry issues.”

Amongst the leading indies, Entertainment Film Distributors hasn’t confirmed participation yet.

All IFDA distributors will continue to remain members of the 95-year-old trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK, the Film Distributors’ Association, that has both independent and studio members.

Hamilton said that the IFDA would not be a collective bargaining set, but rather safeguard the interests of the independent distribution sector.