›› Film Distributors ‹‹ Year in, year out, hundreds of gay films are made and here I do mean hundreds. That said, some are perhaps best forgotten, filled as they are with lame acting and production values so poor that even the presence of men of Adonis-like beauty cannot save the dire end product from cinematic redemption. Thankfully amongst the rough are the smooth in the form of a series of stunning works that belie their modest and here think miniscule, budget. Yet even these features struggle to be seen at a cinema near you, contesting as they do for your viewing pleasure at film festivals around the world, namely those key events in which the hope of every producer present is to secure a major distributor deal, only to face the bitter reality that relatively few such gems will see the distribution light of day. Then again, film distribution can be a precarious business, as those in the trade know only too well. And yet it is these companies whose commitment to the distribution of the gay moving image, ensures that the world of gay cinema if not coming soon to a multiplex near you, is certainly arriving on DVD for your viewing pleasure. In doing so, Gay Celluloid acknowledges the valued work of the companies only too happy to both say it and distribute it, with pride!

›› Artificial Eye  ›› www.artificial-eye.com A long established distributor of independent, arthouse and foreign language films, including several of the works by Derek Jarman. From 2007, AE titles will become available on a download-to-rent / DTR and download-to-own / DTO basis in the UK and Ireland, courtesy of an exclusive three-year digital distribution agreement with Arts Alliance Media / AAM, a leading European digital film service provider.  ›› British Film Institute  ›› www.bfi.org.uk One of the most respected film institutes in the world, without whom there would be no annual London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Home to a renowned archive, learning resource centre and an outstanding DVD catalogue, the BFI also provides vital support and financial backing to a series of independent features, without which many a classic cinematic work would have never seen the light of day. Need more be said?  ›› Parasol Pictures Releasing / PPR  ›› www.parasolpictures.co.uk Incorporating Parasol Pictures as the production arm and Parasol Post as an in-house post production facility, Parasol Pictures Releasing is a major voice in the distribution of gay, lesbian and world cinema in the UK, being committed to bringing the best in independent cinema. A key player in the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, they continue to offer an extensive selection of gay, lesbian and arthouse titles.  ›› Peccadillo Pictures  ›› www.peccapod.com | www.peccapics.com Beginning in October 2000, London based independent film distributor Peccadillo Pictures have grown to become a leading voice in the distribution of gay, lesbian and world cinema in the UK. They remain a firm supporter of the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and of the Asian, European and American moving image, offering a vast selection of quality films to purchase on DVD or to view on-demand at www.peccapod.com.  ›› Picture This!  ›› www.picturethishomevideo.com As a major US film distributor with over twenty years of experience in the business, DW Diversified Inc through its labels Picture This! Entertainment and Picture This! Home Video has continually showcased both the gay and lesbian moving image. They offer an extensive range of titles, including their acclaimed BOYS BRIEFS compilation series, namely a selection of film shorts that would have otherwise all but vanished into the celluloid void.  ›› Second Sight Films  ›› www.secondsightfilms.co.uk Established in 1994, Second Sight Films have built a sound reputation as a major DVD distributor specialising in film and television classics, from powerful dramas to comedy greats, together with cult cinema from around the world. They boast a diverse catalogue of films from the finest directors of our time; from Orson Welles to the cinematic imagery of Derek Jarman.  ›› Strand Releasing  ›› www.strandreleasing.com Formed in 1989 with the goal to fuse quality art films with commercial product, Strand Releasing has honoured its pledge with a series of gay, lesbian and international cinema releases. They have also put their money where their cinematic heart is and produced or executive produced a series of feature films that range from Brian Sloan's I THINK I DO to the controversial counter-culture works of one Bruce LaBruce.  ›› Tartan Films  ›› www.tartanvideo.com Established in 1982, Tartan Films is a major UK based film distributor of independent features catering for a wide variety of cinematic tastes, including (but not exclusively) gay and lesbian cinema. They remain a key player in the distribution of Asian films, especially those of the horror and thriller genre under their banners Tartan Asia Extreme and most recently, Tartan Terror.  ›› TLA Releasing  ›› www.tlareleasing.co.uk | www.tlareleasing.com Launched in 2001 in Philadelphia, TLA Releasing was established due to the popularity of tlavideo.com, an online retail site catering to film lovers of all tastes. By 2005, tlareleasing.co.uk had arrived in the UK, armed with a punch thanks to an extensive back catalogue courtesy of its Stateside cousin tlareleasing.com. They remain a leading voice in both the UK and the US distribution of gay, lesbian and international cinema.  ›› Wolfe  ›› www.wolfevideo.com As one of the oldest distributors of gay and lesbian films, Wolfe Video has since 1985 taken pride in providing an extensive range of LGBT titles to customers across the US and Canada. They offer an invaluable mail order and e-commerce service, in addition to showcasing their films to the widest possible audience via film festivals, theatrical / non-theatrical releasing, DVD and digital delivery. Should you like your company added to the above, just email - dave@gaycelluloid.com with official URL and summary text. Copyright 2008 David Hall. ›› www.gaycelluloid.com - small on photos - BIG on reviews ‹‹