UK-based Momentum Pictures has boosted its contribution to the bottom line of parent company Alliance Atlantis.

Announcing its fourth-quarter and year-end results, the company said Momentum generated 20% of the fiscal 2003 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of its Motion Picture Distribution Group, or $7.9m of the Group's $39.6m EBITDA.

In a statement, the company said, "Momentum accounted for 4% of the Group's EBITDA in the period compared to fiscal 2002 in which it had no EBITDA contribution." Momentum releases during the period included My Little Eye and Van Wilder as well as video/DVD releases Amelie and Britney Spears-vehicle Crossroads.

During the year, Alliance Atlantis renewed several of its key sub-distribution agreements including multi-year pacts with New Line Cinema, Miramax Films and Universal Focus.

Alliance Atlantis' Canadian releases scheduled for 2004 include Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King, Spy Kids 3, Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, starring Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu, and Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain, starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.

Overall, Alliance Atlantis chairman and CEO Michael MacMillan said the numbers showed that the company's strategy of focusing on core business and reduced levels of broadcast and film production volume will continue to yield free cash flow and lower debt.