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← All Event GuidesMovie Licensing Made Simple
When you need a public performance license, when you do not, what it costs, and how Freedom Fun can handle the whole thing for you.
🎯 The Quick Answer
Private backyard party with family and invited friends: no license needed.
School, church, HOA, business, or any public event: a license is required.
✅ You Do Not Need a License If All of These Are True
- Your event is at a private residence
- Guests are family and personally invited friends
- No admission, ticket, or donation is collected
- The event is not advertised publicly, meaning no flyers, no public social posts, no community calendar
- No organization is hosting or sponsoring it
Most backyard birthday parties and family movie nights fall here. Relax, pick your movie, and enjoy the night.
⚠️ You Do Need a License If Any of These Are True
- A school, church, HOA, business, nonprofit, or government entity is hosting
- The event is open to the public or a broad community
- Admission, tickets, donations, or fundraising are tied to the event
- The event is advertised publicly in any form
- It is held in a park, parking lot, community center, campus, or other public space
This is routine and easy to handle. It is simply how copyright works for public screenings, and we deal with it every week.
📋 Why a License Is Required
Buying or streaming a movie gives you the right to watch it at home. It does not give you the right to show it publicly. That second right is called a public performance license, and film studios require it for any screening outside a private home setting.
This applies even when your event is completely free, even for nonprofits, and even if you already own the DVD or Blu-Ray.
💵 What It Costs
Most titles run $250 to $600. Price depends on the title, the studio, and your expected audience size. Newer blockbusters sit at the higher end. Older and family classics are often well under $300.
🎬 Two Ways to Get Your License
You have two options. Most of our school, church and HOA customers pick the first one.
- Tell us your movieLet your Freedom Fun event coordinator know which title you want to show.
- We handle the requestWe work directly with the studio licensing partner on your behalf.
- It goes on your invoiceThe license cost is added as a single clear line item. No separate payment to chase.
- You get confirmationWe send you the confirmation before your event date. Zero paperwork on your end.
📝 Option 2: Handle It Yourself
You can go straight to a licensing company if you would rather manage it directly.
- Have your event date, location, expected attendance, and movie title ready
- Request a quote from Swank Motion Pictures or Criterion Pictures
- Allow two to three weeks before your event to be safe
- Send us a copy of the confirmation so we have it on file
❓ Common Questions
I already own the DVD. Does that cover it?
No. Owning a copy gives you the right to watch it at home. Showing it publicly is a separate right that has to be licensed.
Can I just stream it from Netflix or Disney Plus?
Not for a public event. Every major streaming service prohibits public performance in their terms of use. For private backyard parties, streaming is perfectly fine.
Our event is completely free. Does that change anything?
Unfortunately no. Whether a license is required depends on whether the screening is public, not on whether you charge for it.
What about showing a football game or live sports instead?
Live sports broadcasts follow different rules than films. Private backyard viewing is generally fine. For public or organizational events, talk to us first and we will help you sort it out.
How far in advance should we lock in the movie?
Pick your title as early as you can. Three weeks out is comfortable. If you are closer than that, let us know and we will move quickly.
📞 Not Sure Whether Your Event Needs a License?
Just ask. Your Freedom Fun event coordinator will walk you through it in about two minutes, and if you do need one, we can take care of it for you.
- Start earlySome studios take longer than others. Two to three weeks of lead time keeps everything smooth.
- Ask us for title suggestionsSome movies license faster and cheaper than others. We are happy to point you toward crowd pleasers that are easy to clear.
- Your license covers one screeningOne title, one location, one date. A second night means a second license.
- Public domain titles are freeA handful of classics carry no licensing fee at all. Ask us if budget is tight.
- Build it into your budget earlyIf you are running a fundraiser, factor the license in from the start so it does not surprise you later.
Ready to plan your event?
Your local Freedom Fun team handles delivery, setup and the whole experience. Free rescheduling for any reason, always.
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