Kino Lorber

Overview

Kino Lorber is an independent film distribution and home entertainment company based in New York. Founded in 1977 as Kino International, the company merged with Lorber Films in 2009 to form Kino Lorber. The company distributes between 20 and 40 films per year in the United States, with a dual focus on new international arthouse acquisitions and the restoration and re-release of classic cinema.

Kino Lorber occupies a distinctive niche in the US distribution landscape: it serves both the contemporary arthouse market and the archival/repertory market, which most distributors treat as separate businesses. This dual identity gives Kino Lorber a broad audience base that spans contemporary international cinema fans and classic film collectors.

Distribution Model

Kino Lorber distributes films theatrically in the US through partnerships with arthouse cinemas and independent theater chains. The company's theatrical operations are complemented by a significant home entertainment business, with Kino Lorber releasing premium Blu-ray and DVD editions of both its contemporary acquisitions and its classic film catalog.

Kino Lorber's streaming strategy includes KinoMarque, its SVOD/TVOD platform, which provides an owned digital window for its catalog. The company also licenses content to external streaming platforms. This multi-channel approach allows Kino Lorber to extract value from its catalog across a range of distribution windows.

Kino Classics and Restoration

Kino Lorber's restoration and re-release division, Kino Classics, has produced new 4K restorations of dozens of classic films across world cinema. Recent restoration projects have included works by Fritz Lang, F.W. Murnau, Ingmar Bergman, Jean-Luc Godard, and Akira Kurosawa. Kino Lorber's restoration work is recognized as among the best in the North American market, and the company has ongoing relationships with national archives, cinematheques, and rights holders for classic film material.

For filmmakers interested in the restoration and re-release market, Kino Lorber is a primary partner for projects with archival significance. The company's ability to bring classic films back to theatrical circulation -- and to release premium home video editions -- represents a distinct distribution pathway from the standard new-release model.

What Filmmakers Should Know

Kino Lorber is an active acquirer of new international films at Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam, Venice, and at the European Film Market. The company's acquisitions focus on the international arthouse and documentary categories. Kino Lorber is typically more accessible than higher-profile specialty distributors for international films that lack major festival premieres, as the company's volume model allows it to release a broader range of projects.

The financial terms at Kino Lorber are typically structured around a modest advance against revenue sharing, with home entertainment and streaming rights playing a significant role in the overall deal structure. For filmmakers whose films are likely to have a long catalog life -- through educational licensing, streaming, and home video -- Kino Lorber's expertise in managing these long-tail revenue streams is a meaningful advantage.

Notable Releases

Films distributed by Kino Lorber include work by Paul Verhoeven, Michael Haneke, Dario Argento, and numerous international directors. The company's catalog of classic restorations includes works by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and major European directors of the mid-20th century. Kino Lorber's contemporary acquisitions include festival titles from Berlin, Rotterdam, and other major European festivals.

See Also

For how long-tail distribution revenue from home entertainment and streaming compares to theatrical, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue across theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming windows for a film with strong catalog potential, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.