How can a new society let people know about it and it's screening?

From the BFFS Societies Handbook (N.B. Some restrictions are differ from those described here. This is due to a recent Film Bank licence change which we will report on shortly):

Advertising

Most societies, screening films on a non-theatrical basis, should be aware of restrictions to how the can advertise their screenings. Film screenings cannot be advertised directly to the general public, although the society itself can be. In practice this means advertising in public places which film title, screening data and time, and venue are not allowed.

There are a number of ways around this:

- advertising can feature partial details of screenings

- advertising is restricted to non-public areas (e.g. internal noticeboards, inside clubhouses or student unions)

- screening information is provided on a by request only basis

- screening information is reported factually (e.g. as part of an article in a local newspaper)

- there are no cinemas within a five mile radius (in which case most authorities will turn a blind eye)

Many societies now put screening information on websites – it is not yet clear if this falls under public advertising or information by request. However, no society has been asked to take down such listings so far.

Societies who screen on a theatrical basis, and who operate in a licensed venue are allowed to advertise freely, provided the certificate of the film is displayed on the advertising.

The use of images in your advertising is also subject to copyright law. In particular images downloaded from the internet, copied from magazines or from film stills are normally not permitted to be used in your advertising. In practice, film companies will allow fair use i.e. you can use publicity images to advertise the film they are taken from. These images can be obtained direct from the publicity departments of film distributors, or from ImageNet. You are not allowed to use such images in other ways, e.g. to produce merchandising!

Neil Chue Hong 2005