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Lions Gate UK Limited
Formerly
  • Ibis (863) Limited (August 2000–September 2000)
  • Quantum Entertainment Limited (September 2000–March 2001)[1]
  • Redbus Film Distribution Limited (March–June 2001; June 2003–February 2006)[1]
  • Helkon SK Film Distribution Limited (June 2001–June 2003)[1]
Company typeDivision
IndustryFilm
PredecessorRedbus Film Distribution
Founded1997; 27 years ago (1997) (as Redbus Film Distribution)
Founders
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
ServicesFilm
ParentLionsgate Films (2005–present)
Subsidiaries
  • Elevation Sales (joint venture with StudioCanal UK)
  • Primal Media
  • Potboiler Television (joint venture with Potboiler Productions)
Websitelionsgatefilms.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.[2]

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.[3]

History

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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.[4]

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.[5] Helkon would later purchase a majority stake in the company in October of the same year.[6] 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.[7][8] Following this, Redbus changed its name to Helkon SK, to reflect their partnership with Helkon Media.[9]

On 4 August 2002, Helkon Media filed for insolvency, leading to Franks and Kamasa buying back full ownership of the company.[10][11] 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.[12] All of Helkon's ownership was finally absolved in February 2005.[13]

On 17 October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus Film Distribution for $35 million.[14][15] and became Lionsgate UK on 23 February 2006.[16][17]

Films

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

1999:

2000:

2001:

2002:

2003:

2004:

2005:

2006:

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

2011:

2012:

2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

2017:

2018:

2019:

2020:

2021:

2022

2023:

2024:

TBA:

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Lions Gate UK Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 3 August 2000. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  2. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (20 October 1999). "Rookie indie Redbus adopts 'Baby' rights". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  3. ^ Minns, Adam (8 August 2000). "Redbus, Warner strike video pact". Screen Daily. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Companies House" [1]
  5. ^ "Distribs Helkon, Redbus ink acquisition alliance". Variety. 14 March 2000. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  6. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (4 March 2001). "Redbus suit seeks Helkon cash". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  7. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (4 March 2001). "Redbus suit seeks Helkon cash". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  8. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (25 April 2001). "Helkon inks for 51% of Redbus". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  9. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (10 May 2001). "Redbus dons a new name, slate of pix". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ^ Meza, Ed (4 August 2002). "Helkon Media's latest Teutonic bankruptcy". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  11. ^ Richard, Julie (27 October 2002). "United Kingdom". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  12. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (6 May 2003). "Helkon rebrands as Redbus". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  13. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (17 July 2005). "Redbus gets back in saddle again". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  14. ^ Strategic Acquisition Enables Lions Gate to Self-Distribute in the UK and Adds to Company's Library and Pipeline
  15. ^ "Redbus - Sale of Redbus Film Distribution to Lions Gate Entertainment". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Screen Daily" Redbus rebranded as Lionsgate UK screendaily.com, Retrieved on 15 June 2012
  17. ^ "Variety" Redbus now Lionsgate variety.com, Retrieved on 15 June 2012
  18. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (20 October 1999). "Rookie indie Redbus adopts 'Baby' rights". Variety. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  19. ^ Minns, Adam (10 May 2001). "Redbus renames as Helkon SK, acquires films". Screen Daily. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  20. ^ Mitchell, Robert (5 March 2002). "Mothman leads openers, Ocean's goes top". Screen Daily. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  21. ^ Goodridge, Mike (3 November 2002). "Ex-Helkon trio goes Solo". Screen Daily. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  22. ^ Dams, Tim (25 January 2004). "Redbus dives into Open Water". Screen Daily. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  23. ^ Smith, Neil. "The Big Kahuna". BBC. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  24. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (25 February 2004). "Drama boards Redbus". Variety. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  25. ^ Dawtrey, Adam; Meza, Ed (24 May 2005). "Redbus buys 'Bull' rights". Variety. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
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