Resource Guide
Movie Licensing
for Outdoor Events
Everything you need to know about public performance licenses — who needs one, how much it costs, and how to get one for your event.
Everything you need to know about public performance licenses — who needs one, how much it costs, and how to get one for your event.
A public performance license — commonly called a movie license — is legal permission from a film's copyright holder to show that movie outside of your immediate household. It's separate from the DVD, streaming, or digital copy of the film itself.
Think of it this way: when you buy a movie, you're purchasing the right to watch it privately at home. You're not purchasing the right to show it to a neighborhood, a company, a school, or any group of guests. For that, you need a separate license.
This is governed by U.S. copyright law — specifically, the public performance rights provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976. The law applies broadly and does not have exceptions for "non-profit" events, events where admission is free, or events held on private property.
The bottom line: if anyone outside your immediate household is watching the movie, you need a license. This is true whether it's an HOA movie night, a church screening, a corporate event, a school fundraiser, or a backyard party with neighbors.
Virtually any organized outdoor movie event requires a public performance license. This includes:
HOA & Community Events — Movie nights organized by homeowners associations, apartment complexes, condo communities, and neighborhood groups all require a license, even if the event is free to residents.
Corporate Events — Company picnics, team-building events, employee appreciation nights, and client events require a license if a film is being shown.
School & University Events — Whether it's a PTA fundraiser, a senior class event, or a campus movie night, educational institutions need proper licensing just like any other organization.
Church & Religious Organizations — Churches frequently host movie nights for congregants, youth groups, and community outreach. These events require licensing regardless of the religious nature of the organization.
Backyard Parties with Guests — If you're inviting friends, family from different households, or neighbors to watch a movie in your backyard, technically a license is required. Many people don't know this and skip it for small private gatherings, though the risk is low for truly private events.
License costs vary based on the film, audience size, and screening date. Here's a general breakdown of what to expect when budgeting for your license.
Note: License costs are set by the copyright holder and licensing agency — they are separate from the cost of your Premiere Outdoor Movies equipment rental package.
Two companies handle the vast majority of public performance licensing for outdoor movie events in the United States. Both offer extensive film catalogs and straightforward online applications.
Swank is the largest provider of public performance licenses for film and is the go-to source for most community, corporate, and HOA events. Their online licensing portal makes it easy to search by title, enter your event details, and receive a license quickly — often within a few business days. They represent a broad catalog including current releases, family films, and classics.
Visit Swank Motion Pictures →Criterion Pictures is the other major public performance licensing provider. They represent many of the same titles as Swank and are another solid option depending on your film selection. Some titles are exclusively licensed through Criterion, so it's worth checking both providers if you can't find your film on Swank. Their process is similarly straightforward with online applications and relatively fast turnaround.
Visit Criterion Pictures →Getting a movie license is simpler than most people expect. Here's what the process typically looks like from start to finish.