| Company type | Sociedad anónima |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1969 (1969) |
| Founders | Enrique González Macho |
| Defunct | 2013 (2013) |
| Headquarters | , Spain |
| Products | Motion pictures |
| Services | |
| Divisions |
|
Alta Films S.A. was a Spanish film distribution company. It also operated as a theatrical exhibitor and production company.
History
The company was founded in 1969 by Enrique González Macho and initially focused on the distribution of subtitled foreign films.[1][2]
In addition to distribution, the production branch worked with Ken Loach, Icíar Bollaín, and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea.[1][3] In 1982, it developed the Renoir multiplex near Plaza de España, and eventually managed to operate a network of 200 theatres.[4]
In April 2013, Paramount Home Media Distribution announced an agreement with Alta Films so the U.S. company distributed in DVD and Blu-ray the films in Alta Films' portfolio.[5] Shortly after, González Macho announced the company was about to close down as a distributor for good.[6] He explained the rise on VAT applied on cultural goods and dwindling support from TVE as harmful factors adding up to the ongoing economic crisis.[1] At the time of the announcement, Alta Films had the Argentine film 2+2 pending for a 1 May 2013 release.[7] The company subsequently ceased all distribution activity in May 2013, and limited to the operation of its theatres in Madrid and the Renoir Floridablanca in Barcelona.[8]
References
- ^ a b c "Alta Films, al borde del abismo". Audiovisual451. 18 April 2013.
- ^ "Enrique González Macho, el empresario que defendió la Academia de Cine abandona sin terminar mandato". La Voz de Galicia. 19 February 2014.
- ^ Serrano, Arancha (18 April 2013). "La distribuidora Alta Films inicia el cierre del negocio, pero de momento solo clausura una sala". 20minutos.es.
- ^ Hopewell, John (18 April 2013). "Renoir just off Madrid's Plaza de Espana, and built up the biggest arthouse circuit in Spain". Variety.
- ^ "Paramount distribuirá las películas de Alta Films". Fotogramas.
- ^ "Adiós a Alta Films, la principal distribuidora española de cine de autor". La Voz de Galicia. 18 April 2013.
- ^ "González Macho anuncia la desaparición de Alta Films y de casi todos los cines Renoir". rtve.es. 18 April 2013.
- ^ "Los cines Renoir de Cuatro Caminos echaron el cierre". Telemadrid. 1 October 2013.
