Outdoor Movie Licensing Services for Public Events
Planning a public movie night at a park, school, or church? You’ll need a movie license to make it legal. We help you understand what you need to do to hold a stress-free event at MoviesInThePark. We don't give out licenses ourselves, but we can help you get them and put you in touch with reputable licensing companies. Our team will take care of the big screen, sound, and setting, and you can focus on giving your community a great time.
Why You Need a Movie License for Public Screenings?
If you’re planning to show an event outside of your home, you’ll probably require a license for the movie. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for ten or a large crowdwhen it’s at the park, a church, school or in an open space, it’s counted as a public event.
To show a movie in public, you must get a licence to show films in public. This keeps your event legal and safe from any issues. Without a proper movie licence, you risk breaking copyright law.
Even if your event is free, the rules still apply. A free movie license is not the same as watching something at home. You need permission from official movie licensing companies.
Groups like Swank movie licensing and Motion Picture Licensing make this easy. They help you follow the law and enjoy your event without problems.
Licensing means peace of mind. It protects your group, your guests, and your plans.
When Is a License Required?
Before you show a movie in a park, school, or any shared space, you need to understand if it counts as a public event. This is key to avoiding legal issues and planning a smooth movie night.
What Counts as a Public Event?
A public event is any movie screening held outside your home and open to people beyond your family or close friends. Even if it's free to attend, it’s still considered public. You need a film licence for public showing to stay compliant with copyright laws.
Private events, such as a movie night in your backyard with a few friends, don’t need licensing. But once the event takes place in a public setting, you’ll need proper movie licensing.
Examples of Events That Require a License
Here are some common events where a movie licence is required:
Community Movie Nights: Hosting a film in a local park, neighborhood block, or outdoor lot? If it’s open to the public, it’s a public performance and requires a film licence for public showing.
School Functions: Whether it’s a classroom treat, assembly, or school-wide movie night, schools need a movie license for schools. Even if the event is free or only for students, it still requires permission.
Church Gatherings: Faith-based events showing movies for youth groups, fundraisers, or holiday gatherings need a license too. Religious settings do not receive automatic exemptions from film licensing rules.
Corporate Events: Businesses showing movies for staff, customers, or at public marketing events must have a movie licence. This includes team-building events, family days, or customer appreciation nights.
Fundraisers and Charity Events: Nonprofits and community groups often hold movie nights to raise money or awareness. Even if you’re not making a profit, you still need a license to follow copyright laws.
Summer Camps or Library Programs: Seasonal programs often include movies for kids or guests. These are public viewings and must comply with licensing rules from trusted movie licensing companies like Swank movie licensing.
Licensing protects your event, your audience, and your reputation.
Consequences of Unlicensed Screenings
Skipping movie licensing might seem easy, but it can lead to serious problems. Showing a film without the proper movie licence is a violation of copyright law.
Legal Penalties: You may face heavy fines. These can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, especially for large or repeat events. Copyright holders take film licensing seriously.
Event Shutdowns: Studios or agencies may issue cease-and-desist orders. This can force you to cancel your event at the last minute, causing stress and disappointment.
Damage to Reputation: Cities, schools, or sponsors may lose trust in your team. Non-compliance can hurt your image and future partnerships.
Loss of Future Permits: If you break the rules once, local venues may be less willing to work with you again.
Avoid these issues by working with trusted film licensing services. Don’t risk it get the right license before you buy film rights or plan your event.
How to Obtain a Movie License?
Getting the right movie licensing is easier than it sounds. You don't need to go directly to a movie studio. Instead, work with trusted film licensing services that represent the studios for you.
Licensing Agencies
Two main companies offer legal access to thousands of movies:
Swank Motion Pictures: Swank manages motion-picture licensing for major names such as Disney, Warner Bros. and Universal. They’re the ideal choice for parks, schools and community occasions.
MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Corporation): MPLC offers the Umbrella License, which covers many studios and lets you screen a wide range of movies throughout the year.
Licensing Options
You can choose the license that fits your needs:
Single Event License: Great for one-time public events or special occasions.
Annual License: Ideal for schools, churches, or cities that plan regular screenings.
Before you buy film rights or advertise your event, reach out to these companies. They’ll guide you through the process, help with questions, and make sure your event stays legal and safe.
Costs and Considerations
If you are planning to organize a public movie evening, it's crucial to know the licensing process. Planning ahead of time can help you save from unexpected costs and delays.
Pricing Factors
The cost of a film license is contingent on a variety of variables. This includes the number of people you expect to be in attendance, the type of film you pick, the type of event and if it will be held in the indoors or outdoors. More people or more recent films typically result in higher costs.
One-time events are generally priced differently from recurring programs. Prices can also differ depending on the way you intend to utilize the film, for example, to promote community enjoyment or to raise funds. Knowing these aspects can help you create your budget appropriately for your event.
Budgeting Tips
Make sure you add movie licenses to your budget for the event early in the process of planning. This will help avoid costly last-minute expenditures and also help keep your team well-organized.
Call the licensing agency before you announce or promote your event. They can assist you in choosing the best type of license, depending on the plans you have.
If you’re planning to have multiple night-long movie shows throughout the year, inquire whether an annual license is available. This will lower the total cost.
The license you skip to save money may cause problems. A cancellation or fine can be much more expensive. Be sure to treat the licensing permit as any other permit required by law.
We don’t handle movie licensing, but we make your outdoor movie night unforgettable. Contact us for assistance with the screen as well as sound and installation professionally and with reliability.