Image: Shutterstock
If you’re working on a low-to-no budget film/video project or documentary, you’ll probably have to use stock footage and thankfully, there are many helpful platforms out there that provide a large variety of footage for download at reasonable prices. So, let’s do a “resource round-up” of some of the best websites and online platforms where filmmakers can download and use stock footage.
Website: https://www.shutterstock.com/
You have likely already heard about Shutterstock, one of the largest providers of stock photography, stock footage, and stock music on the Internet.
Pond5 is an online marketplace for royalty-free media that offers high-quality footage by professional artists from around the world. It was acquired by Shutterstock in 2022.
Website: https://www.gettyimages.ca/creative-video
Getty Images is a renowned stock media platform with a diverse selection of footage.
With a library of over 477 million assets, including stock video, filmmakers should be able to find something appropriate for their projects here.
Website: https://vimeo.com/stock
Vimeo partners with world-class creators to curate exclusive footage that looks like nothing else. Plus, creators on Vimeo Stock keep up to an industry-leading 70% of the revenue for their clips.
Since all of Vimeo’s stock clips are royalty-free and cleared for commercial use, you can use each licensed clip in an unlimited number of projects, such as commercials, narrative films, documentary films, and in corporate videos.
Website: https://stock.adobe.com/
Adobe Stock offers 4K and HD video clips for use in motion projects. A free trial is available.
Two license types are offered: standard and extended.
Website: https://artgrid.io/
Artgrid offers unlimited footage downloads, full coverage on any platform worldwide and a lifetime license. All plans include YouTube monetization.
Preview clips can be downloaded for free to try the platform.
Website: https://elements.envato.com/stock-video
Envato offers royalty-free stock videos for download.
With a subscription, you get access to millions of videos, unlimited downloads, lifetime commercial licensing, and new items are added daily.
Website: https://www.storyblocks.com/
Join 150,000+ creators and businesses worldwide who trust Storyblocks to bring their stories to life.
The Storyblocks content is covered by a royalty free license, with enhanced licensing coverage options for big companies and large productions.
Website: https://motionarray.com/
Take projects from concept to completion with Motion Array’s unlimited royalty-free stock assets and an all-in-one marketplace for creators.
Motion Array also offers video collaboration tools, an Adobe extension and a portfolio builder, all in one subscription.
Website: https://www.videvo.net/
As a free Videvo user, you'll enjoy access to over 50,000+ free stock video clips and motion graphics, animated backgrounds, and more. Attribution required.
When you upgrade to a premium plan, the license for free video and audio content is upgraded to royalty-free, meaning you no longer have to provide attribution to the author.
Website: https://www.filmsupply.com/
Filmsupply is the global leader in cinematic footage licensing.
Representing an elite roster of acclaimed filmmakers, Filmsupply is the premier licensing agency for creative entities seeking to elevate media projects with authentic, highly cinematic footage.
If you’re reading about stock footage platforms for filmmakers, chances are that you’re a filmmaker yourself. You’ll want to insure your film/video gear and short-term productions:
Front Row’s Short Shoot insurance policy (Canada) is a good option for insuring your short-term film projects. Coverage for up to 15 consecutive days of filming. The coverage is available online, 24/7. Covers rented gear, rented locations, rented props, sets, wardrobes, and more. You can get a quote in two minutes and purchase a policy 100% online. If you are in the US, please complete this form.
Front Row’s DigiGear insurance policy (Canada) is a good option for insuring your filmmaking gear, including your film camera(s). Also available online. Quotes in 2 minutes; policies available in 5 minutes. Shop from your phone. If you are in the US, please complete this form.
Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our referral marketing program and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! (depending on your province)
About: Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc. is an independent insurance broker that specializes in the entertainment industry – specifically, the film industry. Front Row works hard to provide insurance protection for the lowest possible cost. Should a claim occur, Front Row works diligently with clients and insurers to expedite the payment of claims. Offices in: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, New York, LA and Nashville.
Disclaimer: Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your broker for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products or services. This website does not make any representations that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.