How to Get a Swank Movie License
Swank Motion Pictures licenses public screenings for most of the big studios. Here’s how to apply on your own, step by step. Or skip the paperwork and let us handle it.
Most Major Studios
Swank’s own studio list includes:
- Walt Disney Pictures
- Pixar
- Universal
- Paramount
- Sony Pictures
- Columbia Pictures
- Warner Bros.
- Lionsgate
- DreamWorks Animation
- Focus Features
- MGM
Angel Studios titles go through Swank too: Angel now sends its licensing requests there. Which studios are available can depend on the kind of event, so confirm your title when you ask for a quote.
How It Works for Different Groups
- Parks & recreation: licensed per movie, per day. Swank has no annual license for parks, but offers discounts on multi-day showings.
- K-12 schools: a single-event license, or an annual site license that covers showings on school property, indoors or out.
- Public libraries: the annual license covers showings inside the library only. It doesn’t cover outdoor showings, so ask Swank about a single-event license for those.
- Businesses, churches and community events: request a quote through Swank’s movie events page.
How to Apply Yourself
Pick Your Movie
Choose a title and a backup, in case your first pick is unavailable or costs more than you expected.
Request a Quote
Use Swank’s parks quote form (opens in a new tab) or movie events quote form (opens in a new tab), or call 1-800-876-5577. A Swank rep usually replies within two business days.
Send the Request Form
Once the date and title are set, fill in Swank’s Exhibition Request Form (opens in a new tab) (PDF) and email it back to your rep.
Get Your Confirmation
Swank confirms the order by email, usually within one business day. Keep it. Some venues and parks departments ask to see it.
Start at least two weeks before your event. If it’s sooner than that, call Swank instead of using the form so they can speed things up.
What You’ll Need
- Your organization, contact name and job title
- Phone, email, and mailing and billing addresses
- The movie title(s) and the date of each showing
- Format: a Swank rental DVD or Blu-ray, or your own copy
- Indoor, outdoor on blankets and chairs, or drive-in
- The location name and address
- Whether you’re charging admission or asking for donations, and how much
- Expected crowd size (or number of cars for a drive-in)
- How you plan to promote the event
- Purchase order and tax-exempt certificate, if you use them
Rules Worth Knowing
- Get the license before you advertise the movie.
- Signs at the venue, your website, email and social posts are fine. Radio, TV and newspaper ads aren’t, and the title can’t go on a lit sign, billboard or marquee the public can see.
- Use Swank’s studio-approved artwork, unedited, with the copyright notice.
- Charging admission? You pay the quoted fee or 50% of ticket sales, whichever is higher, and send Swank your attendance numbers within 48 hours.
- Show a legal copy: a Swank rental disc, or your own copy from a legal source. Test it on the event equipment first.
- Changes and cancellations need 10 business days’ notice. If weather or equipment stops the show, you can reschedule the same title within a year without a new license fee.
- Running a drive-in style event? Swank asks you not to use the words “drive-in” in your ads.
Swank doesn’t publish prices. The fee depends on the title, the crowd, the location and whether you charge admission. Checked against Swank’s own website on September 25, 2026. Policies change, so confirm the details with Swank when you apply. Sources: Parks FAQ (opens in a new tab), Getting started (opens in a new tab), Movie events FAQ (opens in a new tab), Library FAQ (opens in a new tab), K-12 FAQ (opens in a new tab), Angel Studios licensing (opens in a new tab).
Rather We Handle It?
Add Movie Licensing Coordination to your movie night quote. We apply for you, deal with the back-and-forth, and send you proof of license.