Movie License FAQ
Included is the “I Can Only Imagine” feature film on DVD and an Authorized Public Exhibition License. (The U.S. Copyright Act requires a license to legally show a movie in a public venue, including a church, school camp, etc. Your license gives you permission to promote and show the film to public audiences as often as you like for the next 12 months).
Pre-ordered movie event kits will be shipped on June 4, and delivery will depend on the shipping option you choose.
Any exhibition of a movie outside the privacy of a home setting is considered a public performance. The rental, purchase lending, streaming or downloading of a movie does not grant the right to exhibit it publicly outside the home, unless the screening is properly licensed.
Yes. If you desire to receive your Church Campaign Kit sooner than your pre-ordered movie event kit, then call us at (877) 578-8346 to have our representative update that for you. There will be a $10 fee associated to cover shipping cost for the Church Campaign Kit.
It depends on what movie you are showing and the type of license. Blockbuster Movie licenses are for a specific, designated time frame and only accommodate one event. Faith-based licenses allow you to show the film anytime you want and as many times as you want during the licensing period, usually for one-year.
It’s the law and it’s the right thing to do. The Federal Copyright Act governs how copyrighted materials such as movies may be utilized publicly. The law applies to everyone including non-profit institutions. Funds from licensing go to paying royalties to the authors, computer programmers, playwrights, musicians, inventors, movie producers, actors and other people involved in making the film. These people depend on royalties to make a living. Showing a film without a license is essentially stealing from the people who made the film.
No. The digital license does not come with a copy of the DVD.
Once you purchase the digital license you will receive a copy of the license and a planning guide via email.
The digital license is for those who already own the DVD and desire to host a movie showing. It is also for those who intend to purchase the movie digitally through iTunes, Fandango Now, or Google Play and host a showing with their purchase.
Yes! A license is required for all public performances regardless of whether admission is charged or not. In fact, your license states that you are not allowed to charge admission.
No. The movies offered by City on a Hill Studio are covered on a title-by-title basis, which means each movie requires its own annual license.
No. You cannot charge for admission. The license only gives you permission to do a public showing of the Movie and marketing your event. However, there are a number of ways to recoup costs. (See ideas under "The Cost is Prohibitive to Us…")
Yes. The License provides your church with permission to use a retail (home use only) DVD for your Movie Event. This is especially helpful if you need to use features not included on the Movie Event DVD such as additional language options, closed-captioning, or special features.
No, you may not use clips from the film during your service or on your website, however you can show the trailer to promote your upcoming event.
Yes! If the small group is meeting outside a home, a license must be obtained regardless of the number of people attending the event. Movie license pricing is based on average weekly church attendance, not the event attendance. Faith based film licenses are valid for unlimited showings for a full year from the date of purchase and allows you to show the film to multiple groups in your church. Blockbuster Movie Licenses are valid for one showing only.
It depends on what movie you are showing and the type of license.
Blockbuster Movie licenses are for a specific, designated time frame and license you to show the film one time.
Faith-based licenses allow you to show the film anytime you want and as many times as you want during the licensing period, usually for one-year from date of purchase.
Blockbuster Movie licenses are for a specific, designated time frame and only accommodate one event. Faith-based licenses allow you to show the film anytime you want and as many times as you want during the licensing period, usually for one-year from the date of purchase.
Outreach Films provides three different types of movie license packages for Faith-based films:
- Movie Event Package - Along with an annual public performance site license, this package includes a physical DVD of the movie along with other printed and digital resources you can use to promote your event and make it more successful. In some cases, the Movie Event Package also includes a complete Church Kit with sermons and sometimes small group curriculum along with other resources you can use to launch a series based on the themes of the movie. The detail page of the movie you select should outline what is included with each type of package.
- Movie License - Along with an annual public performance site license, the Movie License provides you with a physical DVD of the movie and digital resources like web and social media graphics, a digital planning guide and discussion questions.
- Digital Movie License - This is the perfect option when you already have a DVD of the movie you want to show. The Digital License does NOT include a DVD but provides you with annual public performance site license and digital resources like web and social media graphics, a digital planning guide and discussion questions.
It depends on what movie you are showing and the type of license. For Blockbuster films, Outreach Films can only provide licensing in the United States. For Faith-based Films, each movie has different licensing options, please call (502) 245-2425 to find out if international licenses are available for the title you want to show.
Yes, you still need a license, but the cost will depend on what movie you are showing and the type of license you need.
Some church networks and denominations have worked out discounts for their churches; check with those offices to find out if anything is available. Price is based on your average weekly church attendance to help make the license more affordable.
There are several ways to recoup any costs:
- If you need to ticket the event because of seating issues, list a "suggested donation" on the ticket (remember, you cannot require an admission price).
- Offer free admission, but sell concession tickets for popcorn and a drink, or a hot dog dinner.
- Collect a freewill offering or leave baskets at the doors to collect gifts. People are accustomed to paying to see a film, so giving a donation to cover costs would not be unusual.
- Many churches simply ask the congregation to consider giving a special gift for the Movie Event above and beyond their regular giving. The cost of the License represents less than $1.00 per person in the typical church.
- Ask a local business to sponsor the event, give them placement on your promotional materials and do a short sponsorship "commercial" to thank them prior to showing the film.
- Purchase bulk DVDs and resell them at your event and use the proceeds to fund your event or future events.
Any organization's public exhibition of a film without proper licensing is subject to steep and significant penalties through The Copyright Act (as much as $150,000 per exhibition). Even inadvertent infringers are subject to the Copyright Act. If your organization has unknowingly showed a movie while not in copyright compliance, contact us directly to remedy the matter 502-245-2425.
Yes. Bonus features include:
- “I Can Only Imagine” Movie Trailer
- “I Can Only Imagine” Study Trailer
- “Imagine Forgiveness” Study Episode
- Pastor to Pastor video with Keith Loy
- Message to Pastors from Bart Millard
- “Woodlawn” movie Trailer
- “Woodlawn” Study Trailer
Introducing Reveal TV
Yes. I Can Only Imagine is dubbed in Spanish and has Spanish Subtitles, except for the songs which remains in English when they are being sung.
No, you may not use clips from the film regardless of if the recorded media (DVD, tape, etc.) is sold or for free. The only exception is using the trailer to promote an upcoming event.