Lionsgate UK

"Simon Franks" redirects here. For the musician, seeAudio Bullys.

Lions Gate UK Limited (formerlyRedbus Film Distribution, and briefly known asHelkon SK between 2001 and 2003) is the Britishsubsidiary of the American film company,Lionsgate Studios.

Lions Gate UK Limited
Logo used since 2006
Formerly	Ibis (594) 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 type	Division
Industry	Film
Predecessor	Redbus Film Distribution
Founded	1997; 28 years ago (1997) (as Redbus Film Distribution)
Founders	Simon Franks Zygi Kamasa
Headquarters	London, England, UK
Services	Film
Parent	Lionsgate Films (2005–present)
Subsidiaries	Elevation Sales (joint venture withStudioCanal UK) Primal Media Potboiler Television (joint venture with Potboiler Productions)
Website	lionsgatefilms.co.uk

Founded in 1999 by Simon Franks andZygi Kamasa, Redbus has distributed and produced many films for theUnited Kingdom; such asBend It Like Beckham,What's Cooking?,Cabin Fever,Jeepers Creepers,It's All Gone Pete Tong, andGood Night, and Good Luck. Redbus' first theatrical film to be released wasThe 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 asLionsgate Home Entertainment UK. Redbus's film releases were formerly distributed on home video byWarner 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 fromCliff 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 withGerman 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 toHelkon SK, to reflect their partnership with Helkon Media.^[9]

On 4 August 2002, Helkon Media filed forinsolvency, 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]