Strand Releasing
Los Angeles-based independent US distributor specializing in international and arthouse cinema, with a strong track record in LGBTQ+ film and European art cinema.
Overview
Strand Releasing is an independent film distribution company based in Los Angeles, founded in 1989 by Marcus Hu and Jon Gerrans. The company has built a distinctive identity as one of the most consistent distributors of international arthouse cinema and LGBTQ+ film in the United States over more than three decades. Strand's catalog spans European arthouse, Asian cinema, Latin American film, and American independent features.
The company releases approximately 10 to 15 films per year across theatrical and home entertainment platforms. Its curatorial approach and long history give it credibility with both filmmakers and the specialist audiences it serves.
History
Marcus Hu and Jon Gerrans founded Strand Releasing in 1989, initially focusing on foreign-language and independent American films that had limited distribution options in the US market. The company became particularly associated with LGBTQ+ cinema in the 1990s as the New Queer Cinema movement produced critically acclaimed films that needed distribution partners willing to engage with their subject matter.
Key releases include Gregg Araki's films, Rainer Werner Fassbinder retrospective releases, All About My Mother (1999, Pedro Almodovar), The Hours and Times (1991), Wild Reeds (1994), The Cement Garden (1993), Saving Face (2004), Make Way for Tomorrow (1937, re-release), and numerous other titles spanning international arthouse and LGBTQ+ cinema.
Strand has been a consistent presence at festivals including Sundance, Los Angeles Film Festival, and New Directors/New Films, acquiring films at earlier career stages than larger distributors would consider.
What Filmmakers Should Know
Strand Releasing evaluates films across arthouse and LGBTQ+ categories, with particular attention to international cinema and American independent films that serve communities underrepresented in mainstream distribution. The company's willingness to take on smaller films and its long history with specialist audiences make it a valuable distribution partner for filmmakers whose work does not fit mainstream commercial categories.
For LGBTQ+ filmmakers and for international filmmakers seeking US distribution for arthouse-oriented work, Strand represents one of the most established and committed distribution partners in the American market.
See Also
For understanding how specialty distribution works, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue projections, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.
