I tired a half dozen searches, but didn't come up with what I am looking for, even though I thought for sure this had been covered here...

Is it reasonable to hope for a free license to use music for a film to be shown in festivals? Or is there typically a nominal charge? What is involved in getting a license like this? Do they usually want to see the script, or the rough cut or what?

I know every situation will be different, but am looking for a rule-of-thumb.

"I know every situation will be different, but am looking for a rule-of-thumb. "

Okay. Here's the rule of thumb. 'Every situation will be different'.

Seriously. If you go to the royalty free music sites, and read their licensing agreements, some will allow festival entries at reduced rates, some will allow them for free, unless there's a monetary prize. Some will allow at reduced rate unless you are distributing it, some will allow it free untill it's picked up.

And those are just royalty free 'buyout' or 'needle drop' licenses.

If you are looking to get festival rights for a popular song from a commercial artist. You have to go to the same people you would BUY the rights from, and ask them what their exceptions might be.

Sorry. No easy answer.

I am looking for some info on using commercial artists. Library music is easy, but not my point. Thanks Richard, hopefully someone else will have more to say or point me at the threads I cna't seem to find.