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 passengers
- Retail and entertainment venues

There is an exception for curriculum-based screenings in state schools, which do not require a licence.

Your licence fee also helps pay the filmmakers and creators, so that they can continue making the films you love.

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.

Non-theatrical refers to any public 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 passengers
- Retail and entertainment venues

Anyone showing a film in a public setting will usually need a licence, whether or not you charge for tickets. This includes organisations and venues such as:
- Film clubs
- Community cinemas
- Outdoor film screenings, drive-ins
- Festivals and one-off events
- community centres, libraries, museums and clubs
- Schools and universities (unless it’s a curriculum-based screening in a state-funded school)
- Student accommodation and communal lounges
- Hotels, cruise ships, airlines and other hospitality settings
- Retail spaces and entertainment venues
- Workplaces and corporate events

Our Single Title Screening Licence (STSL) is a film screening licence that is valid for one film and one event.

If you’d like to show the same film again, a new licence will be required for each additional screening.

We also offer an annual screening licence, the Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence, which covers ad-hoc or ambient film screenings. Please note, however, that it does not cover planned film events, advertised screenings, or any events where admission fees are charged.

Our Single Title Screening Licence is a film screening licence used on a per film per event basis. It allows you to legally screen a film for one screening event. The event can be advertised, and you can charge an admission fee. Learn more about our Single Title Screening Licence.

Our Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence allows you to show films and TV shows for background or ambient screenings. It also covers you for films and TV programmes aired on UK broadcast television and shown via work-issued devices. The screenings must be ad-hoc. They cannot be advertised, nor can you charge an admission fee. Learn more about our Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence.


Our Content & Technology solutions offer curated film & TV packages plus studio-approved streaming technology catered for a wide range of sectors including hotels, maritime, healthcare, transport and more. Learn more about our Content & Technology Solutions.

For more information regarding licence options, click here.

We offer an annual licence, called the Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence.

It covers non-commercial, ad-hoc or background screenings that are not advertised.

If you wish to organise a planned film event, or advertise your event and sell tickets, you need a Single Title Screening Licence.

If you wish to organise two or more screenings of the same film, you will need a license for each event.

Our Single Title Screening Licence is a film screening licence that works on a "per film, per screening" basis. For example, if you wanted to organise two screenings, you'd need to place two separate bookings, and two licence fees will apply.

Yes, you still require a licence.

Any screening taking place outside of the home or cinema requires a licence under UK copyright law.

In this instance, you will book under non-commercial terms (free for audiences to view) instead of commercial (charge audiences a ticket price). For more information regarding licence options, click here.

Yes. Any public film screening outside of a private home or cinema requires a licence under UK copyright law, regardless of the organisation's status.

For more information regarding licence options, click here.

Yes, a separate licence is required for music.

Contact PRS Music to find out what type of music licence you may need.