A film is a collaborative project with multiple creators contributing to it. WIPO's 2011 report titled From Script to Screen: The Importance of Copyright in the Distribution of Films mentioned that "a film is essentially a collection of copyrights, i.e. a screenplay, possibly based on a book, music, directing talent, actors’ performances, as well as the contributions of creative technical crew such as costumers and set designers. All rights need to be properly granted and acquired (by assignment or license) and documented for the rights holders to claim ownership to the film... As film producers and distributors know, respecting all of the copyrights that go into a film can be a paperwork nightmare. Nonetheless, it is a necessary part of the filmmaking process." The rights holders can then transfer specific rights to other agents when needed (e.g. distribution rights to a distributor).
Rights and clearance need to be secured for works included in a film such as script, music, clips, photographs, trademarks, characters based on real people, etc., unless the copyright of a work has expired or an exception in the copyright law permits the specific use (e.g. fair dealing). Copyright registration is recommended for a rights holder to protect their rights in case of a dispute.
