Do I Need a Licence?

When do I need a licence?

To use the Into Film+ streaming service, your organisation requires a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence. A licence is required if you are showing films in an after-school setting, or non-curriculum setting. While there is no licence required to using film in a classroom to assist with teaching, a licence is required to stream with Into Film+.

The films on our catalogue are covered by the PVS Licence, which is offered by Filmbankmedia. This is also the licence required to start an Into Film Club.

Please note: some films are only available to stream with Into Film+ Premium - find out more below.

My organisation is a school. How does licencing work in my region?

• If you are a state-funded school in England, then your PVS Licence is already paid for by the Department for Education. You will also have access to the Into Film+ Premium catalogue, which is funded by England's Department for Education.
• Most schools in Scotland will already have a PVS Licence, and we are able to provide support to those that don't on a case-by-case basis.
• In Northern Ireland, our funding from Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure enables us to support the PVS Licence costs for some schools.
• Schools in Wales must pay for their own PVS Licences, with the exception of those in Cardiff, Conwy, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

What licence information do I need to sign up to Into Film+?

When signing up for an Into Film+ Account, please quote the Account No. on your Filmbankmedia PVS Licence certificate.

Please note: once you purchase a PVS Licence, you may have to wait up to four business days before you will be able to access Into Film+ while your new licence is processed by Filmbankmedia.

How do I find out if my organisation has a licence?

If you sign up to Into Film and you are a school, the sign-up process should be able to tell you if you're already covered by a licence. 

If you are in a non-school setting, please contact Filmbankmedia and they will be able to tell you if your organisation is covered by a licence. 

Please note: where a film club is held outside of school, under the PVS Licence only the club itself is licenced, rather than the venue in which the club meets.

How do I purchase a PVS Licence?

In order to purchase a PVS Licence, please visit Filmbankmedia. The licence costs £112 + VAT.

Will I be able to stream films with Into Film+ If I don't have a licence?

No. You will only be able to stream films with Into Film+ if you have a valid PVS Licence.

How long is a PVS licence valid?

The PVS Licence is an annual licence that will need to be renewed every 12 months in order to maintain access Into Film+. The licence runs from 1 April - 31 March for schools, and 1 May - 30 April for non-school settings.

What is Into Film+ Premium?

Into Film+ Premium is an extended version of Into Film+, offering a wider range of content for state-funded schools in England. The Into Film+ Premium service is funded by the Department of Education (DfE) which means that only DfE-funded schools can access it.

Find out more about Into Film+ Premium and learn about our ambition to extend the offer to the rest of the UK in our FAQs.

What is an ERA Licence?

Some titles on Into Film+ are provided via the Educational Recording Agency (ERA), and these titles require an ERA Licence to view. The vast majority of educational establishments in the UK are already covered by an ERA Licence. You can check the ERA Licence status of your organisation here.

ERA are an organisation that support the education sector by making it easy for schools, colleges and universities to harness the power of audio-visual broadcast materials for non-commercial, educational purposes.

My organisation has a licence from the Motion Picture Licensing Company. Can I use that?

Licences are also available through the Motion Picture Licensing Company. Please take the time to investigate which licence will cover your film watching. You may find you require both licences, as they each hold the rights to different films. You can find out more information on their respective websites.

* Screenings of Filmbankmedia's films for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.

Filmbankmedia is Into Film's principal content provider and its content is covered by the PVS Licence. Other copyright licences and permissions may be required for alternative screenings of content.