Getting It In Canada
You've combed the globe and selected your program; you've identified the primary source; now you need to find out whether you can physically get your selection in Canada - and if not, what does this mean and what are you going to do? Now that you are ready to commit, you can use some pointers on how to make the deal. Once you have an agreement with your source, you can move on with confidence to publicizing, pricing and peopling your event.
If you are presenting a not-for-profit, charitable or educational event, especially if you are showing more than one film, consider the one-stop clearance coverage that Umbrella Licensing offers. If you are working through a Touring Program, then they will have arranged licensing for all the works they offer. However, the more common scenario is that you will have to find the distributor, or rights holder, and negotiate payment for your particular use. If you have already established your venue, and if they have the right contacts, then the venue manager may be able to source the distributor directly, or get their booking agent to make the booking for you. If you can't find a distributor for the title you want, you can try appealing directly to the film's creators. If the film is not made in Canada and the primary source tells you that there is no Canadian distributor, you will have to seek permission from either a North American rights holder located in the US, or source from a foreign country. Whatever the situation, don't despair. None of this is really as hard as it may appear to you at first glance; just proceed step-by-step, as described in this section, and you'll get there.
