>We’re not open to the general public. Do we still need a license?

>Yes. According to Senate Report No. 94-473, p. 60, “performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps and schools are ‘public performances’ subject to copyright control.”

https://www.mplc.org/page/faqs

That presumably depends on whether the screening is only for e.g your family. Consult a lawyer.

The surprising breadth of "public performance" is the basis for the famous Girl Scout copyright royalty demand

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/17/nyregion/ascap-asks-royalt...

Movie theaters are familiar with risks in this area, so they might have their own rules about what you can and can't watch when you rent out a theater.

Thanks for the source! Also, wow. I figured "rent a theater with strangers for a viewing" would be over the line, but I didn't realize that showing a DVD at a summer camp is technically illegal.

Back a decade ago I did all the tech setup to host a presidential election debate viewing at the Kobuki Theater in SF. I don't know the legality for sure, but I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal. Again, IANAL, but I think as long as it's truly a private event among friends, I think you should be ok.

> I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal.

The UK seems to require a 'non-theatrical' film licence [1][2] for:

- at one-off events

- at film clubs - whether or not you sell tickets

- in common areas for guests, residents and passengers

- in retail and entertainment venues

[1] https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public

[2] https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/copyright/2014/08/01/film-clubs/