I checked out the www.movlic.com
for movie licensing for schools. If you want a license for the entire school year, which covers teachers, librarians, afterschool programs, school events, etc., and you have more than 325 students the cost is $350.00. I think the fellow I spoke with told me that it drops to $325.00 if you have less than 325 students enrolled. It's only $50-$75 if you want to get licensed to show ONE MOVIE. We have a license through this company and buy it with our PTA money to help the entire school out. Also, we have 5 or 6 family movie nights throughout the school year, too.
We do 4 movie nights per school year. We also do 1 Pizza/Movie night. they are all highly attended. Our school district is so tight about rules and such, that we had to purchase the rights to show movies; a contract for $350 per school year from a company called Buena Vista - I think the name might have changed this year. I'll check it out, but they are for mostly Disney movies. This way, we have the legal right to show movies to an audience. This contract that our PTA paid for can be used by the entire school staff and after school kids club to show movies. Anyways, we pick G or PG movies that are appropriate for children and approved in the end by our principal. Since we expect adults to stay with the children, (they can't just drop them off and leave), our principal felt that PG's (some of them) were okay, too. Everyone that attends just have a great family time together. They bring blankets, pillows and snacks. We give free popcorn and candy out to everyone. During intermission (10 min for bathroom break), we have door prize giveaways. Last year we added a Pizza/Movie night. A business in the community sponsored one movie night for $200 and we used that money to buy all of the pizza that we could and gave everyone 1-2 pieces of pizza FREE, while it lasted. The place WAS PACKED!! We are trying something new early this spring before the pesky bugs attack: Outdoor Movie Night. We will move our equipment to a grassy field behind the school and show our movie under the stars! The kids at our school can't wait!
We had our first movie night last November, showed Finding Nemo, served pizza. Huge success but we learned from our mistakes. This time, no pizza, just popcorn using the school's popcorn machine and our local McDonalds donates their orange drink in an igloo for all our events. We don't charge admission, just ask for donations of canned goods for local food pantry. Our event is in two weeks and we're going with GArfield The Movie this time. Don't forget to get your license, one time fee of $50, unlimited license is based on student enrollment. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info. You must have a license, there's no way around it.
We also make up a flier and include in newsletter, invite everyone to wear their jammies, bring a blanket or sleeping bag and bring their favorite snuggly. Make sure to have chairs available for adults, though. Good luck, the kids have a blast.
Don’t forget the great resources available right here at PTOtoday. The link below will take you to their Family Night Planning summaries and then you can order the planning guides when you are ready to set the date. This site is a great resource!
Hi! Would you please, please tell me a little bit more about your movie night? Did you charge admission? Did you serve refreshments? Did you just send flyers home? We do not have a gym but a really large cafeteria with a stage. Did you have a good turn out? We have 1100 students, grades K-2. I am the Co-president and I am looking for something fun and family oriented.
