Would a student film club be allowed to screen films from BoB or on DVD from a library collection without breaching copyright/licensing terms?
Let’s assume that the aim of screening films is to explore sociological concepts for exploration and discussion among students. It’s related to the student’s studies, i.e., for instruction and not for social events. Onsite screenings would be covered under an exception in the law for performing, playing or showing work in the course of activities of an educational establishment. Still, they have to be strictly limited to staff and students of the institution. You couldn’t use this for anything open to the general public (or invited guests/family members of students).
You should always encourage whoever hosts the screenings to promote them as an educational resource rather than entertainment, and then you have a strong defence if ever challenged, however unlikely.
Also, the exception for criticism, review, quotation and news reporting might apply, but it depends on how easy it is to argue that showing a whole film is fair dealing.
A ‘public’ screening always requires permission and licensing, regardless of whether a fee is charged or not or for charity fundraising purposes.
The author takes no responsibility for the content of this page, which is not intended as binding legal advice. The views are about copyright in the UK Higher Education sector context.