Kino Lorber
Leading US distributor of classic, international, and arthouse cinema. Releases films theatrically, on home video, and through the Kino Now streaming platform, with a catalog spanning over a century of world cinema.
Overview
Kino Lorber is one of the most respected independent film distributors in the United States, with a catalog spanning over a century of world cinema. The company distributes classic, foreign-language, documentary, and arthouse films through theatrical release, home video, and its own streaming platform, Kino Now. Kino Lorber's catalog includes films by Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, and hundreds of other directors whose work forms the canon of world cinema.
The company operates from New York and releases approximately 150 to 200 titles per year across all formats. Its depth and breadth in classic and international cinema make it an essential resource for film scholars, cinephiles, and educators.
History
The company traces its origins to Kino International, founded in 1977 by Donald Krim to distribute classic and foreign films in the United States. Kino International became the primary US distributor for many significant European and Asian film catalogs over the following decades.
Richard Lorber founded Lorber Films separately, distributing international and specialty titles through home video and later digital platforms. The two companies merged in 2009 to form Kino Lorber, combining Kino's theatrical expertise and classic catalog with Lorber's home entertainment infrastructure.
The combined company expanded aggressively through acquisitions of catalog rights and active theatrical distribution of new international acquisitions. Kino Lorber also produces its own special editions and restorations, frequently commissioning new essays, interviews, and audio commentaries for home video releases.
Operations
- Theatrical distribution -- releases new acquisitions and classics in arthouse cinemas nationwide
- Kino Lorber Studio Classics -- premium home video releases of Hollywood studio films with scholarly supplements
- Kino Cult -- genre and cult film releases
- Kino Now -- streaming platform for the Kino Lorber catalog
- Alive Mind Cinema -- documentary distribution label
- Zeitgeist Films -- arthouse and documentary label (acquired)
What Filmmakers Should Know
Kino Lorber acquires new international and independent films for US theatrical and home entertainment distribution. The company evaluates projects based on critical quality, festival reception, and appeal to arthouse audiences. For international filmmakers seeking US distribution, Kino Lorber represents one of the most knowledgeable and committed partners for films that fall outside mainstream commercial categories.
The company's strength in home video means that even films with limited theatrical potential can find substantial audiences through Kino Lorber's home entertainment and streaming operations. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray releases are particularly well regarded among collectors and film scholars.
See Also
For understanding how US arthouse distribution works, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue projections for specialty releases, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.
