Licensing
How to License Stockfilm Footage
There are two ways to license our restored 8mm and Super 8 footage. More than 115,000 clips can be licensed directly here on Stockfilm.com, and the full catalog is also available through Pond5. Here is how each one works, what it costs, and what the license covers.
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
- Browse or search the archive. Use our curated collections, Archive Index, or search to find clips by keyword, decade, and location.
- Preview clips. Each clip includes a thumbnail on Stockfilm and a watermarked preview on Pond5. Review framing, color, and content before purchasing.
- License the clip. On most clip pages, click License Direct to license and pay on Stockfilm — a flat $149 for the 4K master. If a clip isn't available for direct licensing, use the Pond5 link to license it on the Pond5 marketplace instead.
- Download immediately. A direct license unlocks the 4K master download the moment payment clears, with a receipt emailed to you. Pond5 clips download from your Pond5 account in your preferred resolution. No waiting period either way.
- Use in your project. The royalty-free license covers most commercial and editorial uses worldwide with no expiration.
Pricing
What a clip costs depends on which path you use.
- Direct on Stockfilm: a flat $149 per clip for the 4K restored master, royalty-free and worldwide. More than 115,000 clips can be licensed this way — look for the License Direct button on a clip page.
- Pond5 (HD): from $15 per clip
- Pond5 (4K): from $49 per clip
- Volume discounts: available through Pond5 subscription plans and bulk purchase credits
- Custom licensing: Contact us for enterprise pricing on 10+ clips
Direct licenses are a single flat rate shown at checkout. On Pond5, the price varies by resolution, clip length, and content rarity, and is shown on the clip page before purchase.
Available Formats
Our footage originates from 8mm, Super 8, and occasionally 16mm home movie film. Original reels are professionally scanned and digitally restored. Available download formats include:
- MP4 (H.264): Most common format, compatible with all editing software
- MOV (ProRes): Higher quality for professional post-production workflows
- Resolutions: HD (1920x1080) and 4K (3840x2160) where available
The restoration process preserves authentic film grain, color, and aspect ratio while removing dust, scratches, and stabilization artifacts.
Usage Rights
Both the direct Stockfilm license and the standard Pond5 royalty-free license grant broad usage rights for most projects:
- Commercial use: Advertisements, corporate videos, social media, branded content
- Editorial use: Documentaries, news segments, educational materials, museum exhibits
- Broadcast: Television, streaming platforms, film festival submissions
- Digital: Websites, apps, presentations, online courses
- Territory: Worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive
No attribution is required. The license does not expire and covers unlimited reproductions within the licensed project. Direct license terms are shown on the clip's licensing page before you pay; for Pond5, review the full Pond5 license agreement for complete terms.
Licensing Direct on Stockfilm
Most of the catalog can be licensed without leaving Stockfilm. Open a clip, click License Direct, choose your usage scope, and check out. You get the 4K digitally restored master (MP4) under a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license, ready to download the moment payment clears. A receipt is emailed to you.
Direct licensing is a flat $149 per clip, with no subscription and no per-use tracking. If a clip isn't available directly yet, the same footage is on Pond5.
How Pond5 Works
Pond5 is the world's largest marketplace for royalty-free media, and it carries the full Stockfilm catalog, including clips not yet available for direct licensing. When you license a clip there:
- You purchase directly from Pond5 with their secure payment processing
- Download files are hosted on Pond5 servers for reliable, fast delivery
- Your license agreement is with Pond5, backed by their standard terms
- Customer support is available through both Stockfilm and Pond5
Visit our Marketplaces page to see all platforms where Stockfilm footage is available.
Delivery Timeline
- Standard clips: Instant download after purchase
- Custom requests: 1-3 business days for catalog search and response
- Enterprise/bulk orders: 3-5 business days for custom packaging and delivery
Need Something Specific?
If you cannot find the right footage through search or browse, our archivists can help. We have access to the full catalog and can identify clips that may not yet be indexed on the site.
Related Pages
- Marketplaces — All platforms where Stockfilm footage is available for licensing.
- FAQ — Common questions about licensing, formats, pricing, and rights.
- Browse Footage — Explore the archive by category, decade, and location.
- Filmmaker Tools — 13 free tools including a licensing calculator and budget planner.
- About Stockfilm — The story behind the archive and our preservation mission.