Film Licensing For Your Outdoor Movie / Inflatable Movie Screen Event

From the Open Air Cinema archive. Originally published in 2011, explaining film-licensing basics (Swank Motion Pictures, Criterion Pictures) for outdoor screenings. Preserved as a historical record; sales-CTA clauses have been removed throughout, keeping the licensing-guidance content intact.

When you are producing an outdoor movie event for the general public, that is when you are having a community event where anyone can come and see your outdoor movie for free, you need to get film licensing for the screening of your movie. You don't need to worry about this when inviting family or friends over to your backyard screening, or when you are hosting a private event..

Generally you can get most licensing for films through either Swank Motion Pictures or through Criterion Pictures (home of the Criterion Collection). Most newer releases are available through Swank, while classics often are available through Criterion, although there are often exceptions to this, so make sure to check both companies when looking for licensing. There are also rare occasions when you'll need to go directly through a distribution company or the producers of the film, if the film is rare or was not widely released. This is often the case with independent films, and films that have not been picked up for wide distribution.

Film licensing is a very serious thing, so make sure to do your screening right and secure the proper permissions, as the last thing you want is to get your organization, city, or business in trouble. The cost of licensing is minimal to the production of your entire event, and it is definitely the right and worthwhile thing to do. It is a very easy process, and we are here to help you if you have any questions.