If you are using a pre-recorded song in your film, there are two rights you need to clear; that is to say, you need to get two different licenses to use the music.

--Synchronization License: This is the right to synchronize a song or a piece of music with your visual image. It must be obtained from the copyright owner of the music, which is usually the publisher. You can find out who the publisher is by using ASCAP's Clearance Express (ACE) at ?url? http://www.ascap.com?/url?. Songs that are not represented by ASCAP might be found at the National Music Publishers' Association "Songfile" website ?url? http://www.nmpa.org?/url?. You will be provided with a contact at the publisher's Business Affairs or Licensing Department.

--Master Use License: This is the right to reproduce a specific recording of a song in your film. You clear this right with the record label who owns the specific recording you would like to use; see the liner notes of the recording to find out which company this is. Alternatively, you can get contact information for record labels by calling ASCAP's Film/TV Department. You will be provided with a contact at the record label's Business Affairs Department.

If you know you will never want to - or have the opportunity of - selling your short film then ask about Festival Rights Licensing.

I don't much about legal licenses.
But my short film for local festival,
I just make my own musics
It's more excited than take it
from the other's musics

Nada Taufik
Film Maker
pink_rebels?filmsindie.com
http://www.filmsindie.com/pinkrebels