Order and license film stills from the IWM collections

© IWM MGH 5071-5076. Amateur colour film shot by Lieutenant Sidney Sasson. 

The image above is a frame from an amateur film of the VE Day celebrations on May 8 1945, shot by Lieutenant Sidney Sasson of the US Army Signal Corps.  It captures an iconic moment and has been broadcast globally, expressing the joy of a generation freed from the burdens of war.

Capture unique, historic moments with bespoke film stills 

If you are struggling to find the right image to fit your brief from IWM's extensive photography collection, a still from our digitised film collection is another option to consider.

Following the upgrade on the IWM Film website to output HD clips, a new development is that high-resolution digital assets can be produced from film sequences that are suitable for commercial use.  With over 900 hours of video, there are thousands of frames to choose from.

How to order and license a film still

Search our digitised film collection on IWM Film, our dedicated film website for media professionals.

Multiple frames are associated with a film record. Once you have identified the film still you would like to order, contact imagesales@iwm.org.uk with the film number and time-code with screengrab (for visual reference).  

To obtain a quote for licensing, please include as much of the following information as you are able to provide.

- Catalogue numbers of film(s) with time-code from IWM Film
- Your name / organisation
- Current project title
- Usage type and platform (e.g. broadcast, exhibition, book)
- Circulation (e.g. print run of 10,000, UK distribution)
-  Image size and placement (e.g. cover, 1/2 page)
-  Duration (e.g. 6 months, 1 year)

© IWM. Film still generated from MGH 5071-5076 at 50:56 via IWM Film website

Bespoke film stills: file format and pricing

There are two options available. A separate licence fee is charged, depending on the use.

1. High-resolution still (300 dpi jpg) via IWM Film - £30+VAT.   
2. Optimised TIFF file larger than A5 (usually from 2k DPX scans ) via in-house technicians - £50+VAT (recommended for exhibitions). 

© IWM. Film still via our in-house technicians from MTE 3437 at 4:45. Minor image enhancement includes adjusting contrast.

Find out more

Contact us for assistance with research and information about licensing the IWM collections.