Cumulative Web Inc · Verified answers · Updated 2026-10-17
How much does it cost to license a song for a short film?
Micro-sync: $0–$500. Festival: $500–$2,000. Commercial short: $2,000+. CWI's 27-track sync catalog was built for the micro-sync market — 55% of all placements by volume. One signature clears master and publishing. No label negotiation.
What drives the price
Usage: festival-only vs online vs commercial
Territory: local vs worldwide
Term: 1 year vs perpetuity
Catalog tier: major label vs independent
The micro-sync shortcut
Independent catalogs like CWI's clear faster and cheaper because one party controls both master and publishing. Describe your scene — the Scout demo matches tracks to your brief with verified ISRCs and clearance status.