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M54 Distro

M54 Distro · UK and Ireland theatrical distribution

Nigerian and African films, on the big screen across the UK and Ireland.

We book cinemas, plan the release and fill the seats. From Dublin to London, M54 Distro takes your film to the diaspora audiences who are waiting for it.

Submit your filmHow it works

270,000+

Nigeria born residents (2021 Census)

465,000+

UK study and work visas issued to Nigerian nationals since 2021

50

cinema target network

What we do for producers

Everything a theatrical release needs, handled by one team.

Cinema booking

We pitch your film to cinema programmers and booking teams across ODEON, Vue, Cineworld, Picturehouse and leading independents.

Release planning

Dates, screen counts and a phased rollout built around where your audience lives.

DCP and KDM delivery

We manage digital cinema packages and key delivery so every screen plays on time.

Classification support

We guide you through BBFC classification for the UK and IFCO for Ireland.

Diaspora marketing and premieres

Community led campaigns through churches, associations, student societies and creators, anchored by premiere events.

Weekly box office reporting

Clear weekly figures by site, so strong venues get more shows.

Also available: localisation, including subtitles and dubbing, to take your film further.

Why M54

We know this audience because we fill rooms for it.

270,000+

Nigeria born residents in England and Wales (2021 Census)

465,000+

UK study and work visas issued to Nigerian nationals since 2021 (Home Office)

Audience

The 2021 Census counted over 270,000 Nigeria born residents in England and Wales. Since then, more than 465,000 UK study and work visas have been issued to Nigerian nationals. Visas issued are not the same as people still living here, but the audience is larger and younger than the census shows.

50

Cinema network

A target network of 50 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, from Dublin to London, chosen for their Nigerian and African audiences.

M54

Part of M54 Studios

M54 Distro is backed by M54 Studios, the UK creative company behind the stage production Love in Lagos, telling African stories to the world.

Sources: ONS, Census 2021, country of birth (270,768 Nigeria born residents, England and Wales). Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, entry clearance visas issued to Nigerian nationals, Sponsored study and Worker routes including dependants, April 2021 to December 2025 (465,729).

Where we take your film

  1. Dublin
  2. Belfast
  3. Dundee
  4. Edinburgh
  5. Glasgow
  6. Newcastle
  7. Middlesbrough
  8. Leeds
  9. Bradford
  10. Manchester
  11. Liverpool
  12. Sheffield
  13. Stoke on Trent
  14. Derby
  15. Nottingham
  16. Leicester
  17. Birmingham
  18. Coventry
  19. Nuneaton
  20. Northampton
  21. Cardiff
  22. Milton Keynes
  23. Luton
  24. Reading
  25. Norwich
  26. Thurrock
  27. Bluewater
  28. Chatham
  29. Bournemouth
  30. London

Cities in our target network.

Your film

Bring your film to UK and Ireland cinemas.

Finished a feature with a story for the diaspora? Tell us about it and we will plan its route to the big screen.

Submit your film

How it works

Five steps from submission to opening night.

  1. 01

    Submit your film

    Tell us about your film, your rights and your plans using the form below.

  2. 02

    We review

    We watch the film and assess its fit for UK and Ireland audiences.

  3. 03

    Agree the plan

    We agree release strategy, terms and timeline with you.

  4. 04

    Book and build

    We book screens, handle delivery and classification, and launch the campaign.

  5. 05

    Release and report

    Your film opens in cinemas and you receive weekly box office reports.

Producer enquiry

Bring your film to UK and Ireland cinemas.

Tell us about your film and we will be in touch.