Anyone can host a screening of an NFB film. As Canada’s public producer and distributor, the NFB has a huge catalogue of titles—thousands of short and feature-length documentaries and animated films to choose from. To show one of our films, all you need is a space, a screen, sound and an interested audience.
Make an Impact
Why host a screening of an NFB film?
Raise Awareness: Educate and inform your audience about critical issues impacting your community.
Foster Engagement: Encourage discussions and active involvement.
Build Connections: Foster a sense of community and shared purpose and develop relationships with like-minded partners.
Inspire Action: Motivate viewers from all backgrounds to take positive steps towards change.
Amplify Voices: Support our stories and filmmakers, showcasing the diversity of perspectives and talents in Canada.
Host a Screening
Host a screening in 4 easy steps:
Select your film: Choose a film (or films!) or reach out to us for suggestions.
Find a venue: Screenings can take place almost anywhere. See our FAQ for suggestions.
Promote your screening: Take advantage of our promotional resources, including trailers, posters and photos. Add value by hosting a post-screening panel or Q&A session. Share the screening details on your social media and within your network to maximize reach.
Host your screening: We’ll provide the film file and any additional resources you need. After the event, we’d love to hear your feedback and get an attendance count to help us improve future collaborations.
Select a Film
The NFB collection has thousands of films on many different topics. When it comes to making a selection, there are two options:
Choose a title: Already know the film or films you want? Great! Just let us know and we can get you what you need.
Programming help: Trying to work within a theme or subject and not sure what to choose? Our dedicated team can recommend a film (or multiple films) on any number of topics.
Once you’ve chosen your film(s), you can e-mail us at communityscreenings@nfb.ca. Please allow our dedicated team to respond within 2-3 business days, and submit your request at least 3 weeks before your event date to guarantee the best service. We can also provide accessibility options for most of our films.
If you don’t know which film you want, you can still contact us at communityscreenings@nfb.ca, we’ll ask you a few questions and follow up with some suggestions!
Once we’ve confirmed all your screening details, we’ll follow up with the proper film file and any necessary information.
For most of our recent titles we can provide a link to an electronic press kit, which includes synopses, filmmaker biographies, a director’s statement, stills from the film, the poster files and a link to the trailer. For some titles we can also provide a discussion guide or educational materials to enhance your post-screening discussion. Please remember to acknowledge the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) in your promotion.
We can create an event post for you on our Events page, which you can use to promote your screening directly or link to from your website or social media pages.
In its role as a national public distributor and producer, the NFB provides access to most of its film collection at no cost if your event is free of charge or by donation (with free option). Paid screenings are subject to rental fees. The organizer is responsible for covering the cost of the venue rental, staffing requirements (if any) and printing promotional materials. The NFB is responsible solely for providing film files and promotional resources. If requested, the NFB can facilitate contact with filmmakers for potential Q&A sessions, but paying honorariums is the responsibility of the event organizer.
Community screenings can take place almost anywhere! Consider hosting a screening at your local community centre or recreation centre, at an art gallery or museum, a library, school gymnasium, church hall, Royal Canadian Legion Hall or rental space run by a community service org such as the Eagles, Lions or local Benevolent Society. You could also look into partnering with a local festival or event, or creating a workshop or lunch-and-learn session in your workplace. We can help you find the best solution for your screening needs.
Yes – depending on the chosen film and its availability. While most NFB films are freely accessible within Canada, public screenings outside the country require a license agreement and may involve a fee. Our team can help confirm if the film is available for international screenings and provide more details. Please contact us at info@nfb.ca to get started.
No – the NFB.CA platform is for personal, in-home viewing only. If you want to show an NFB film in a group setting, either privately or publicly, you need to book the film through our team and we will provide the media, usually in a downloadable MP4 format that includes public performance rights. And it’s not only a licensing issue – screening from an MP4 also ensures that your projection will not be negatively impacted by poor internet connectivity or dropouts. Our team also needs to collect attendance numbers following your screening for reporting purposes.
