Here you will find useful information to help you complete your coursework.
FIRSTLY you are dealing with the 'life-cycle' of a film, from it being made to it being shown. This is called the 'Distribution System' and basically has THREE phases
Production
Distribution
Exchange (or exhibition)
There are many places to find out about this but please try
The Film Distributors Association
and their microsite :
Launching films - microsite