In this guide
Describe the proposed use preciselyCheck existing institutional coverage firstUse the film-specific and screening informationRetain the applicable confirmationUse the provider’s answer for the actual proposalNFB.ca makes many films available for free personal streaming, but the NFB documents a separate process for classroom use and public screenings. If you are planning one of those uses, identify the film and context before relying on the ordinary play link.
Describe the proposed use precisely
Record the film, institution or organiser, location, intended audience and whether viewing will be in person or virtual. The NFB’s own help distinguishes educational use from public-screening arrangements. A broad note such as “show a free film” leaves the context unresolved.
For an explicitly hypothetical example, a teacher using a film in a Canadian classroom and a community group advertising an evening screening have different organisational questions. They should not assume that another person’s home-viewing account establishes the right route for both.
Check existing institutional coverage first
NFB’s classroom policy says a usage licence is required and may already exist through a school board, provincial ministry or another organisation. Ask the relevant institutional contact or NFB to confirm that coverage for the intended use.
Do not automatically purchase another personal copy as a substitute for that check. The actual question is the institution’s usage arrangement, not whether a film can technically play on the classroom screen.
Use the film-specific and screening information
The classroom help says a digital copy with classroom presentation rights may be offered on the film page where available; otherwise it directs the reader to NFB. For public screening, NFB’s help points to its rights process and says cost depends on the film and context.
Keep the exact film and proposed event with any inquiry. A different title, venue or viewing format may not be covered by an earlier answer.
| Context | Official route to check |
|---|---|
| Personal home viewing | The actual NFB.ca title offer |
| Classroom use | Existing institutional usage licence or NFB classroom guidance |
| A single classroom film | Any listed educational-use copy and its stated rights |
| Public event in Canada | NFB’s current public-screening/rights process |
| Virtual public event | The stated event format in that process |
Retain the applicable confirmation
Once the route is established, keep the permission or institutional confirmation with the film and event record. A stream working successfully is a technical observation, while a usage arrangement is an organisational record. Preserve both if they matter to the planned session.
For a hypothetical event team, the person setting up the projector should have the correct film and playback instructions, while the organiser retains the applicable screening information. That avoids treating a functioning browser as evidence for an unrelated permission question.
Use the provider’s answer for the actual proposal
This guide summarises the NFB’s published process and does not decide legal exceptions or uses in every jurisdiction. If the proposed context is unclear, describe it to the NFB through its official route before advertising or relying on the event plan. The goal is a specific, reviewable arrangement for the selected work and audience.