Organizing an open-air cinema, from start to finish

A non-commercial outdoor screening of a feature film, 60 minutes or longer, requires authorization from the CNC after regional review. This obligation also applies to a free screening. The film must be shown within one year of obtaining its visa. The CNC does not grant any exceptions to this deadline in this case. The review takes into account the location, the number of screenings, their social and cultural interest, and the situation of local cinemas.

Sources : CNC — Outdoor screenings, schedule and session changes

The calendar must be anticipated: the DRAC can set submission dates related to their committees and the summer season. You must consult that of the relevant region, without assuming that a late application will be examined in time. The film authorization does not exempt you from the procedures for the event and public reception.

Sources : Ministry of Culture — Outdoor procedure in Hauts-de-France

Two nuances change the project preparation. Outdoor sessions do not count towards the six paid associative sessions. Furthermore, an authorized cinema can request a session move: this screening then falls under the commercial regime and is exempt from the one-year deadline. Using a simple technical service provider is not sufficient to benefit from this regime.

Sources : CNC — Outdoor screenings, schedule and session changes

The notion of "non-commercial" does not necessarily mean "free". Film rights and SACEM procedures still need to be handled. The CNC also specifies that non-commercial screenings must be distinct from the offerings of certified theaters, and that advertising material intended for commercial exploitation cannot be automatically reused. A regular programming schedule requires examining the appropriate operator status.

Sources : CNC — Non-commercial screening, common provisions

The organizer must obtain public performance rights for Germany. Licenses intended for certain indoor uses should not be presumed valid for an outdoor session publicly announced. The agreement must cover the film, the venue, the date, the promotion, and whether it is free or ticketed. MPLC Germany expressly distinguishes the film authorization from that relating to its music; GEMA in particular provides a tariff for one-off screenings.

Sources : MPLC Germany — Outdoor film screenings · GEMA — Rate T

Administrative setup depends on the state, municipality, and site. Public space occupation may involve several services: public order, traffic, fire prevention, or green space management. Local noise and safety regulations must be checked. There is no general one-year deadline comparable to the French non-commercial outdoor regime: programming depends on available rights and distributor conditions.

Sources : Düsseldorf — Burgplatz usage rules, including open-air cinema · Filmbankmedia Germany — Projection Licenses

Protecting minors is a major operational point. The FSK classification must be respected, as well as the chaperone rules: children under six must be accompanied; for ages 6 to 13, chaperones are required if the screening ends after 8 PM; for ages 14 and 15, after 10 PM; for ages 16 and 17, after midnight. The chaperone must meet the legal requirements. A family film shown late in the evening therefore requires appropriate entry control.

Sources : Youth Protection Act — § 11, film screenings

The authorization of rights holders is independent of the venue authorization. Filmbankmedia offers a license per title and per screening, usable notably for free or paid outdoor screenings. An annual ambient broadcast license should not be confused with this event authorization. Availability, temporary withdrawals and special permissions remain determined by the studios. There is no general one-year deadline specific to outdoor screenings.

Sources : Filmbankmedia — Single Title Screening License · Filmbankmedia — Catalog and availability restrictions

In England and Wales, projection may constitute a regulated activity under entertainment licenses. It must be verified that the venue has a premises license covering the activity, or use a suitable procedure. For a one-off event, the Temporary Event Notice may be suitable for up to 499 people present simultaneously, including staff, and for a maximum of seven days. The normal procedure requires at least ten clear working days' notice. Annual ceilings also apply to the applicant and the site.

Sources : GOV.UK — Entertainment Licensing · GOV.UK — Temporary Event Notice

Some non-profit screenings in community venues benefit from an administrative exemption under certain conditions, notably between 8 AM and 11 PM, with a maximum of 500 spectators, the consent of the person in charge, and compliance with age classifications. This is not a general exemption for all outdoor cinemas with fewer than 500 people. It does not exempt from film rights.

Sources : Thurrock Council — Exemptions for screenings

In Scotland, the TEN does not apply. The local authority determines the cinema license or relevant exemption. You must present the venue, programming, audience, and occasional nature of the activity. Film classifications and admission conditions are also part of the file. Music licensing is checked separately with the competent authority, particularly PRS for Music.

Sources : West Lothian Council — Cinema License · Regional Screen Scotland — Licences and exemptions · Filmbankmedia — Questions about licenses and music rights

Federal copyright reserves the right to publicly display protected films for copyright holders. A screening in a municipal park, campsite, or public venue does not become free because spectators do not pay. Rights must be reserved for the United States and for the actual conditions of the event. There is no federal procedure for authorizing each screening comparable to the French CNC.

Sources : U.S. Copyright Office — 17 USC, chapter 1 (§ 106, right of public performance)

Film availability depends on the distributor, date, and location; there is no general one-year federal deadline specific to open-air cinema. Swank notably offers licenses per film and per day. For its park offering, its FAQ provides, in case of ticketing, the higher amount between the flat fee and 50% of the revenue. This is a commercial condition of this offering, not a universal American tax.

The contract can also cover the promotion. The same Swank offer limits certain advertising media and provides restrictions in case of direct competition with a commercial theater. It is also necessary to agree on postponement conditions: a weather cancellation does not automatically erase the payment of royalties.

Sources : Swank — Conditions for parks and recreation, booking and postponement

Event permits fall under local authorities. As an example, NYC Parks requires a permit for more than 20 participants. This threshold does not apply to other cities. Depending on the project, noise, fire safety, temporary installations, insurance, catering, and road occupation must also be addressed. ADA accessibility obligations also apply to temporary events.

Sources : NYC Parks — Event Permit · San Diego — Special Events, event preparation · ADA National Network — Accessible Temporary Events

Spain distinguishes between the rights of the work, the regulation of film exhibition, and regional or municipal performance rules. The status of the screening must be identified: free municipal event, associative screening, festival, or paid exhibition. A seasonal cinema open to the public for payment may be subject to the obligations of exhibition establishments, particularly identification and control of the activity. National law is articulated with the powers of the autonomous communities.

Sources : BOE — Cinema Law 55/2007, particularly articles 4, 15 and 16

The main particularity concerns public administrations: when they organize free or symbolic price screenings, the rule is to wait twelve months after the theatrical release. An exception exists if representatives from exhibitors and the video sector indicate that the programming does not harm their activity. This restriction does not apply indiscriminately to all private organizers.

Sources : BOE — Law 55/2007, article 15.4

The implementing decree specifies the procedure for a film of less than twelve months: the administration contacts the representative bodies at least fifteen days before the scheduled programming. The examination focuses in particular on the local offer and the concomitance with commercial cinemas. The "symbolic price" has a regulatory definition; it is not sufficient to freely qualify a ticket as a reduced rate. The authorization of rights holders and accessibility remain necessary.

Sources : BOE — Royal Decree 1084/2015, article 18

For the film license, the contract must specify the Spanish territory and the mode of exploitation. Any collective rights that may be due are added to this authorization: payment to a management company does not automatically replace the right to program the work. The distributor must indicate the elements they provide and the steps remaining to be handled by the organizer.

Sources : IB Cinema — Rights management and programming

For an open-air cinema, the producer, distributor or their authorized representative authorizes the screening. The SIAE specifies that it collects remuneration for soundtracks for film screenings: its intervention therefore does not in itself constitute a license to exploit the film. The contract with the rights holders must cover the outdoor screening and the conditions for revenue and advertising.

Sources : MPLC Italy — Outdoor Screenings · SIAE — Film and audiovisual screenings

The administrative contact is usually the town hall, through the SUAP, its business activities counter. Depending on the configuration, the project falls under a certified declaration of business commencement, the SCIA, or another authorization title. The control mainly concerns the use of the site, the installations, the exits, and public safety. Procedures vary with the type of event, its capacity, its schedules, and the constraints of the location.

Sources : Siena Municipality — SCIA and cultural events · Bari Municipality — Event file, technical documents and safety of temporary installations

It would be misleading to summarize the Italian procedure to just the 200-person threshold: simplified arrangements have evolved and conditions must be confirmed by the SUAP. No general national one-year deadline specific to outdoor events has been identified in the sources consulted; film availability depends on the distributor. The Italian classification must also be checked. The ministry distinguishes between old projection authorizations and the classification system introduced to protect minors.

Sources : Italian Ministry of Culture — Classification and former nulla osta · MPLC Italy — Outdoor Screenings

Portugal distinguishes the event organizer. Promoters established in the country are generally registered with the IGAC. Certain non-profit organizations organizing a maximum of three shows per year are exempt from this registration. This exemption does not constitute a general exemption from duties, security, or other formalities.

Sources : IGAC — Promoter Registration

Decree-law 23/2014, in its updated version, requires prior notification of the event to the municipality where it takes place, including for a promoter not established in Portugal. The file must include the program, classification, dates, location, authorization from rights holders, and civil liability coverage when not already provided by the venue. However, its article 5.3 exempts from this notification certain screenings carried out by entities holding a prior distribution authorization or license from the IGAC. It is therefore necessary to check the setup with the chosen operator.

Sources : Royal Decree 23/2014 updated — Articles 3 to 5

Age classification and venue status remain to be addressed. A temporarily arranged park should not be equated without examination with an authorized permanent cinema. Municipalities guide organizers toward procedures for improvised or traveling installations, as well as toward the SPA for rights in its repertoire. For films without classification suitable for a cycle or festival, the IGAC proposes a specific procedure.

Sources : Cascais — Event communication and venue procedures · IGAC — Film classification for festivals and cycles

No general national one-year outdoor deadline has been identified in the texts consulted. This does not guarantee immediate access to new releases: the date, format, language and screening conditions remain to be agreed with the rights holders.