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Film Screening Licence FAQs
What is film licensing and why do I need a licence?
Copyright law protects films as intellectual property. When a film is produced, the creators, studios, and distributors control how and where it can be shown.
It is a legal requirement to obtain a valid licence from the rights holders (or their representatives) to screen a film in a non-theatrical public setting.
Non-theatrical means any public film screening outside of a traditional cinema or private home. Examples include:
- One-off events
- Film clubs or community cinemas (whether or not tickets are sold)
- Communal areas for guests, residents and staff
- Retail and entertainment venues
There is an exception for curriculum-based screenings in state schools, which do not require a licence.
The Single Title Screening License (STSL) is a film screening licence that gives you official permission from rights holders to show films publicly, with costs based on your venue or audience size.
Your licence fee also helps pay the filmmakers and creators, so that they can continue making the films you love.
What is the Single Title Screening Licence?
STSL stands for Single Title Screening Licence and is a film screening licence available on a "per film, per screening" basis.
How much does a film screening licence cost?
Your screening licence cost depends on your venue capacity and whether you’re charging people (a “ticketed” film event) or not (a “non-ticketed” film event). For full details, visit our pricing page.
