Independent Film Distribution
With a background in film sales at PolyGram and FilmFour, Colin Burch established Verve Pictures in 2003 to specialise in the release of independent film in cinemas and on DVD, offering audiences the chance to enjoy original and thought-provoking cinema from the UK and around the world. Colin has grown the company from a start-up business to a key independent UK film distributor.
Verve are passionate about film and discovering new talent, and are committed to releasing films that have become increasingly lost in today’s multiplex culture.
Since the company was founded they have released award-winning films such as My Brother The Devil, Kelly+Victor, Red Road, The Arbor, Bullet Boy, Dogtooth and Shell, helping bring important filmmakers such as Kieran Evans, Andrea Arnold, Dominic Savage, Amma Asante, Saul Dibb, Clio Barnard, Scott Graham, and Sally El Hosaini to wider public attention.
The company has a proven track record of working with first time filmmakers who have previously excelled in other visual fields - over 75% of their releases are from first time feature directors.
Verve’s titles have won the BAFTA Outstanding Debut Award (Kieran Evans, Kelly+Victor in 2014), the Sutherland Award at the London Film Festival (Las Acacias in 2011 and The Arbor in 2010), Best British Newcomer at the London Film Festival (Sally El Hosaini, My Brother The Devil in 2012), the BAFTA Carl Foreman Award (Andrea Arnold, Red Road in 2007 and Amma Asante, A Way of Life in 2004), the BIFA Douglas Hickox Award (Clio Barnard, The Arbor in 2010), BIFA Best Newcomer (Chloe Pirrie, Shell in 2013, James Floyd, My Brother The Devil in 2012 and Ashley Walters, Bullet Boy in 2004), and Most Promising Newcomer at Evening Standard Film Awards (Sally El Hosaini, My Brother The Devil in 2013).
In 2025 Verve picked up a trio of titles, including BFI Flare premiere A Night Like This, Sheffield Doc Fest premiere Where Dragons Live and BFI London Film Festival title Chicken Town.
It’s an exciting time for the company with a catalogue of over 70 films and more in the pipeline!
