Overview
Altitude Film Entertainment is a vertically integrated UK film company operating across three divisions: international sales (Altitude Film Sales), production financing, and UK theatrical distribution (Altitude Film Distribution). Founded in 2012 by Will Clarke (former founder of Optimum Releasing), Andy Mayson, and Mike Runagall, the company employs 20 to 30 people and generates annual revenue in the $10 to $20 million range.
The company's dual role as both an international sales agent and a UK theatrical distributor gives it a distinctive position in the independent market. Filmmakers can secure both global territory sales and direct UK and Ireland theatrical release through a single relationship. Altitude releases approximately 15 to 20 films per year in UK cinemas.
Recent and upcoming UK distribution releases include Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater's homage to Jean-Luc Godard, acquired at Cannes 2025), Sirat (Oliver Laxe's Cannes Jury Prize winner, acquired June 2025), Chork (Shane Meadows's first film in 17 years, in cinemas 2026), Animal Farm (Andy Serkis, July 2025), I'm Still Here (Walter Salles, February 2025), and Bambi: The Reckoning (August 2025).
History
Founding (2012)
Will Clarke, Andy Mayson, and Mike Runagall launched Altitude Film Entertainment in 2012. Clarke had previously founded Optimum Releasing (later acquired by Universal Pictures and rebranded as StudioCanal UK). The three founders combined backgrounds in international film sales, distribution, and production financing to create a vertically integrated company.
Key Sales and Distribution Credits
Altitude's international sales catalog includes films that have collectively earned dozens of Academy Award nominations and multiple wins. Notable titles:
| Film | Year | Role | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Theory of Everything | 2014 | International sales | 1 Oscar (Best Actor) |
| Whiplash | 2014 | International sales | 3 Oscars |
| The Favourite | 2018 | International sales | 1 Oscar |
| 1917 | 2019 | International sales | 3 Oscars |
| The Father | 2020 | International sales | 2 Oscars (incl. Best Actor) |
| Talk to Me | 2023 | UK distribution | None |
| Io capitano | 2024 | UK distribution | Oscar nominee |
| I'm Still Here | 2025 | UK distribution | Oscar winner (Best International Feature) |
| Sirat | 2025 | UK distribution | Cannes Jury Prize |
| Nouvelle Vague | 2025 | UK distribution | Cannes Competition |
| Animal Farm | 2025 | UK distribution | None |
2025 to 2026 Activity
Altitude has been active across acquisitions, sales, and distribution in 2025 to 2026:
- May 2025: Acquired Sirat (Oliver Laxe, Cannes Jury Prize winner) for UK distribution
- May 2025: Acquired Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater, Cannes Competition) for UK distribution
- May 2025: Announced international sales for The Occupant (Hugo Keijzer, SXSW London premiere), with DECAL picking up North American rights and Signature Entertainment handling UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand
- June 2025: Announced Chork (Shane Meadows's return to cinema after 17 years) for 2026 release
- October 2025: Good Boy sold out worldwide theatrical across 30+ territories after SXSW premiere
- November 2025: Sirat and Ocean with David Attenborough nominated for British Independent Film Awards
- May 2026: Launched international sales for Whit Stillman's A Night at Claridge's at Cannes, starring Adam Brody and Laura Carmichael
- May 2026: Announced Mars Express (Mackenzie Crook's directorial debut, starring Toby Jones, produced with Big Talk and BBC Film)
- June 2026: Partnered with Ketchup Entertainment for Coyote vs. Acme UK and Ireland release
Notable Productions
Altitude's catalog spans prestige dramas, genre breakouts, and awards contenders. The company handled international sales for several films that earned Academy Awards.
International Sales Credits:
| Film | Year | Budget Tier | Worldwide Gross | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Theory of Everything | 2014 | Mid-budget ($15M) | $123M | 1 Oscar (Best Actor) |
| Whiplash | 2014 | Low-budget ($3.3M) | $49M | 3 Oscars |
| The Favourite | 2018 | Mid-budget ($15M) | $95M | 1 Oscar |
| 1917 | 2019 | Mid-budget ($95M) | $384M | 3 Oscars |
| The Father | 2020 | Low-budget ($3M) | $24M | 2 Oscars (incl. Best Actor) |
UK Distribution Credits:
| Film | Year | Budget Tier | UK Box Office | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk to Me | 2023 | Micro-budget ($4.5M) | $5.2M UK | None |
| Io capitano | 2024 | Low-budget | $1.1M UK | Oscar nominee |
| I'm Still Here | 2025 | Low-budget ($5M) | $3.8M UK | Oscar winner (Best International Feature) |
| Sirat | 2025 | Low-budget | TBD | Cannes Jury Prize |
| Animal Farm | 2025 | Mid-budget | TBD | None |
House Style / Genre Focus
Altitude targets two distinct lanes. The first is prestige awards cinema - films with festival pedigree, critical acclaim, and Oscar potential. The second is commercial genre fare with breakout potential, exemplified by Talk to Me ($91M worldwide on a $4.5M budget) and Good Boy (sold out across 30+ territories).
Altitude does not pursue big-budget tentpoles, franchise sequels, or pure streaming content. The company avoids films without clear theatrical viability or international sales potential. Projects that cannot perform in UK cinemas or sell at film markets do not fit Altitude's model.
How They Typically Find Talent / Take Submissions
Altitude does not accept unsolicited submissions. Projects reach the company through three channels:
- Producers and entertainment lawyers with existing Altitude relationships
- Sales agents presenting projects at film markets (Cannes, AFM, Berlin, Toronto)
- Festival premieres where Altitude's acquisitions team actively scouts
Filmmakers without industry representation cannot submit directly. The company requires a producer, agent, or sales agent to present projects.
Recent Output / Slate Year (2025-2026)
Altitude released 15 to 20 films in UK and Ireland cinemas during 2025. Key releases and their performance:
- I'm Still Here (February 2025) - Oscar winner for Best International Feature, $3.8M UK box office
- Animal Farm (July 2025) - Andy Serkis animated adaptation
- Sirat (2025) - Cannes Jury Prize winner, acquired for UK distribution
- Nouvelle Vague (2025) - Richard Linklater, Cannes Competition
- Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (February 2025) - genre release
2026 slate includes Chork (Shane Meadows, first film in 17 years), A Night at Claridge's (Whit Stillman, Cannes sales launch), and Coyote vs. Acme (UK and Ireland release with Ketchup Entertainment).
Operations
International Sales (Altitude Film Sales)
Managing Director Mike Runagall leads the international sales division, which represents films at all major markets and festivals:
- Cannes / Marche du Film (May)
- Toronto International Film Festival (September)
- American Film Market (November)
- Berlin / European Film Market (February)
The sales team handles worldwide territory sales outside of territories retained by co-production partners. Recent sales activity includes selling out Good Boy across 30+ international territories including Germany (DCM), Italy (Maestro), France (VOD Factory), Spain (Filmin), Japan (AT Entertainment), South Korea (Challan), and Latin America (CVT).
Production Financing
Altitude provides equity investment and gap financing for qualifying projects. The company typically participates as a co-producer or executive producer on projects where it also handles international sales, creating a financing-plus-sales package that reduces risk for producers.
UK Theatrical Distribution
Altitude Film Distribution releases 15 to 20 films per year in UK and Ireland cinemas. The division handles both Altitude acquisitions and third-party films. Recent distribution successes include I'm Still Here (February 2025, Oscar winner for Best International Feature), Animal Farm (July 2025), and Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (February 2025).
The company also manages UK physical and digital home entertainment releases for its titles.
What Filmmakers Should Know
How to Approach Altitude
Altitude does not accept unsolicited submissions. Projects reach the company through:
- Producers and entertainment lawyers with existing Altitude relationships
- Sales agents presenting projects at film markets (Cannes, AFM, Berlin, Toronto)
- Festival premieres where Altitude's acquisitions team actively scouts
For filmmakers with projects that have strong UK or English-language market potential, Altitude offers the rare combination of international sales representation and direct UK distribution. This eliminates the need to secure a separate UK distributor after signing with a sales agent.
What Altitude Looks For
The company evaluates films across the prestige and commercial independent spectrum. Key criteria:
- Awards potential: Films with festival pedigree and critical acclaim (Altitude has handled multiple Oscar-winning and nominated titles)
- UK theatrical viability: Projects that can perform in UK cinemas, not just on streaming
- International marketability: Films that can sell across multiple territories at film markets
- Genre films with breakout potential: Talk to Me (2023) and Good Boy (2025) demonstrate Altitude's ability to handle genre titles with commercial upside
Typical Deal Structures
Altitude's deal structures vary by project type:
- UK distribution deals: Altitude acquires UK and Ireland rights for theatrical release, typically with a minimum guarantee (MG) and P&A commitment
- International sales agreements: Altitude represents worldwide rights (excluding retained territories), earning a sales commission of 15 to 20% on territory deals
- Co-production financing: Altitude contributes equity or gap financing in exchange for a producer share and sales rights
UK Film Tax Relief
Productions distributed by Altitude can benefit from UK Film Tax Relief (FTR), now part of the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) from April 2024:
- Rate: 34% taxable credit on qualifying UK expenditure for films with budgets of £20 million or over (25% on the first £20 million, 20% above)
- Rate for smaller films: 39% for films with budgets under £20 million
- UK spend requirement: At least 10% of core expenditure in the UK
- British certification: Must pass the Cultural Test or qualify as a co-production
Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes
See Also
For understanding how UK independent distribution and international sales work, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue projections for independent releases, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For UK tax relief calculations, use the Indie Film Budget Calculator.
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