Regulations for outdoor projections

The projection of open-air cinema is subject to a regulation giving rise to a specific authorisation issued by the National Centre for Cinema and Animated Images (CNC) after consultation with the relevant regional cultural affairs directorate, in conjunction with regional experts.

It is governed by section 6 of section L. 214-1, sections L. 214-6 and L. 214-7, as well as sections D. 214-8 to D. 214-10 of the Code du cinéma et de l'image animée.

It applies to all non-commercial outdoor screenings of feature-length films (films of 60 minutes or more), free of charge or for a fee, with a minimum visa date of one year.

The request must be made on the online application of the CNC, for instruction.

The CNC communicates the authorisation or refusal directly to the organiser after commission.

Any organizer (association, communities, film club, film library, etc.).

The business visa and rights holders must have been verified before the online application.

Operating visa
The period for the broadcast of feature films shall be one year from the date on which the film’s visa is obtained. Prior to filing an application for an outdoor cinema, the applicant must have verified that the https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification

Particular attention should be paid to any restrictions of the public that may accompany the visa.

Rights holders
The authorization issued by the CNC for outdoor sessions does not waive the obligation to obtain prior permission from the rights holders for the projection of their film, in accordance with the Intellectual Property Code.

To find out who is entitled to a film, you can contact the Cinema and Audiovisual Register (RCA) on 01 44 34 37 76 or 01 44 34 34 90.

It is forbidden to use a DVD reserved for private use (DVD put on sale in the usual trade, rented in a videoclub, borrowed from the library, etc.). These materials are in fact intended for strictly private use within the framework of the “family circle” and may in no case be used for public representation that requires a specific authorization of the rights holders. This restriction appears, in principle, on the covers and pre-generic, on the various pre-recorded ideographic media.

It is recommended to send your application at least one month before the first projection date.

Link to the application form:
https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/vos-demarches/demande-autorisation-de-projection

The region concerned is that of the place of projection.

Within the same online form, it is possible to register several screening sessions on the same date in the same place. It is also possible to enter several projection dates at different locations in the same region.

If the applications involve more than one region, you will need to create as many forms as you do.

Form Field Accuracy:
Organizer Is considered to be the organizer of the open-air screening the structure carrying the event and which has the legal responsibility: community, association, cinema etc. It is he who carries out the official steps and the technical steps (partnerships, leasing, subcontracting).

Partners Partners are structures which finance through grants, make their staff or material available without financial exchange or provide proven support for the event: local authorities, social or cultural bodies, cinemas etc. Only partnerships related to the organization of the session (choice of film, financial support, etc.) are to be registered. It is not useful to register partnerships related to the reception of the public (snack bar, firefighters, etc.).

Service provider The service provider is the person who rents his technical equipment for the organisation of the open-air session (screen, projector, speakers etc.).

The application must include:
- the municipality or municipalities in which the meeting or sessions are held, the date of the meeting or sessions, the place where they are held;
- for each cinematographic work appearing on the programme: the title, number and date of the approval for the cinematographic exploitation, if any, and the number of sessions scheduled.

Only complete applications are considered.

The specific authorisation is issued by the CNC on the basis of the following criteria established by the legislation:

- the place and number of meetings envisaged;
- the social and cultural interest of representations;
- the local situation of film exploitation.

Protest statement
Please note that this authorisation does not exempt any formalities and other requests for authorisations to be carried out in parallel by the applicant, for any outdoor event receiving from the public, at the risk of being prohibited by the competent authorities.

Sessions may only be held in accordance with the authorisations provided by the state of health emergency.

The authorization granted by the President of the CNC under Article L. 214-6 is obviously only likely to be useful if the event is authorized by the competent authorities for the application of health rules.

The deadline for submitting applications to the NCC site is Friday, June 10, 2022.

Applicants will be informed of the decision directly by the NCC.

Access to the outdoor screening can be free and for a fee.

Refer to the “Non-commercial” summary.

It is imperative that the RDCA is informed of any changes made after the authorization has been issued and the reasons for the change.

It is advisable to inform the surrounding cinemas of the holding of the outdoor screenings.