Lionsgate UK

Lions Gate UK Limited
	Logo since 2006 rebrand
Formerly	Ibis (594) Limited (August 2000–September 2000); Quantum Entertainment Limited (September 2000–March 2001); Redbus Film Distribution Limited (March–June 2001; June 2003–February 2006); Helkon SK Film Distribution Limited (June 2001–June 2003);
Company type	Division
Industry	Film
Predecessor	Redbus Film Distribution
Founded	1997; 27 years ago (As Redbus Film Distribution)
Founders	Simon Franks; Zygi Kamasa;
Headquarters	London, England, UK
Services	Film
Owner	Lionsgate Studios
Parent	Lionsgate Films (2005–present)
Subsidiaries	Elevation Sales (joint venture with StudioCanal UK); Primal Media; Potboiler Television (joint venture with Potboiler Productions);
Website	lionsgatefilms.co.uk

Lions Gate UK Limited (formerly Redbus Film Distribution, and briefly known as Helkon SK between 2001 and 2003) is the British subsidiary of the American film company, Lionsgate Studios.

Founded in 1997 by Simon Franks and Zygi Kamasa, Redbus has distributed and produced many films for the United Kingdom; such as Bend It Like Beckham, What's Cooking?, Cabin Fever, Jeepers Creepers, It's All Gone Pete Tong, and Good Night, and Good Luck. Redbus' first theatrical film to be released was Open Your Eyes in 1997.

In October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus and rebranded it under its current name. Its home media company, Redbus Home Entertainment, would also rebrand as Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK. Redbus's film releases were formerly distributed on home video by Warner Home Video until 2006.

History

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 from, Cliff Stanford's Redbus Group SA.^[2]

The prospectus stated that its goals were to co-produce and distribute10-12 full length feature films annually to the cinema, video and television markets in the UK.

On 6 May 2001, Redbus was acquired by the German media company Helkon Media AG for $23 million, and changed its name to Helkon SK, to reflect their partnership with Helkon Media,^[3] and then split from Helkon Media, and renamed it back to Redbus on 6 May 2003.^[4]

On 17 October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus Film Distribution for $35 million.^[5]^[6] and became Lionsgate UK on 23 February 2006.^[7]^[8]