Licensing FAQ

Do I really need to purchase a license to show the film?
Yes! Here’s the rule of thumb: if you are showing the film anywhere outside your home, you are legally obligated to purchase the appropriate package and license for your organization. Public Performance Rights (PPR) are required to show the film in any public or private gathering outside the home. We review all purchases to confirm correct licensing.

What constitutes a public performance?
Any exhibition of a movie outside the privacy of a home setting is considered a public performance.

Do we need a license even if we don’t charge admission?
Yes! A license is required for all public performances regardless of whether an admission is charged.

I own a copy of the movie. Do I still need a license to show it outside my home?
Yes! Neither the rental, purchase or lending of a videocassette, DVD or streaming copy carries with it the right to exhibit movies publicly outside the home.

How many times does the PPR allow me to show the film?
You can show the film as many times as you would like at one location. If you have more than one location, please purchase the Extra Location License or contact us about purchasing multiple kits at a discount.

What type of license do I need to purchase?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the licenses and types of organizations that qualify:

Business license with PPR

This license is for businesses such as funeral homes, hospices, hospitals and senior living communities. If you’re a for-profit business, you need to purchase the Business license to show the film in any public or private gathering.

Nonprofit license with PPR

This license is for nonprofit organizations such as community groups, hospices, hospitals and religious organizations/churches. If you’re a nonprofit of any kind (other than Higher Education institutions) you need to purchase the license to show the film in any public or private gathering.

Higher Education license with PPR

This license is for Higher Education Institutions. If you’re a Higher Education Institution you need to purchase the license to show the film in any public or private gathering. If you are a professor, librarian, or administrator at a University/Higher Education Institution, you should purchase the Higher Education license.

K-12/Public Library license with PPR

This license is for K-12 educational institutions and Public Libraries. If you are a librarian, teacher, administrator, or educator in a K-12 Educational Institution, you should purchase the K-12/Public Library license.

Bereavement Support Kit – Limited PPR

This license is for small private Bereavement Support Groups only. If you are a bereavement/grief support group counselor or facilitator, therapist, clergy, or lay minister and using the film in a small support group setting, you should purchase the Bereavement Support Group license.

How do these licenses differ from the complementary “streaming access” licenses offered to all hospices in the US and Canada?
The complementary “streaming access” licensing for US and Canadian hospices is for the hospice’s internal use by their staff, volunteers and client families. Showing the film to a broader audience requires additional licensing. The “streaming access” version requires a streaming account to be setup. Please send email to info@voicesofgrief.org with any requests or questions.

Why are there different prices for the licenses?
We offer a tiered licensing and pricing system based on the general usage for each type of organization. For example, a university may add the film to their collection and many faculty, students, and classes will check out the film over a period of time. A nonprofit may use the film for their regular programs, community outreach and/or marketing. A public library or school may add the film to their collection and reach a smaller number of people in their local community.

Our prices are based on industry standard rates set by leading documentary distributors such as Roco Educational, DER, Bullfrog, and New Day Films. Our goal is to make the film accessible to all types of organizations and, at the same time, generate enough revenue to keep our organization alive and well.

I’d like to show the film at multiple chapters, branches, or locations of my organization. What should I do?
The Community Screening Kit includes an unlimited exhibition license at one location. This means you can show the film as many times as you’d like at one physical location, chapter, or branch. If you’d like to show the film at multiple locations, you must purchase a separate Community Screening Kit or Extra Location License for each location. Please contact us about purchasing multiple kits at a discount—we offer discounts for bulk orders and even the opportunity to customize your package with your organization’s name and logo.

I’m an individual and want to show the film to various nonprofit organizations in my community. What should I do?
You should purchase the Community Screening Kit with the Nonprofit license. Generally, the license is valid for one physical location, but we’ve made an exception for individuals who want to show the film to various small community organizations. So, for example, if you want to show the film to your Rotary Club and local church, you can purchase the Nonprofit license and you’re good to go. Please use your honest judgement—if you work for one of those institutions, the institution must purchase a separate Screening Kit or Extra Location License for each location.