Music in a movie

[mmuxc08]

Hello, I live in Vermont. As a fundraiser for a trip to France for the French 4 class, we are holding a french movie night where groups create movies and charge admission. There is confusion as to whether we can use copywrited music. I think that it would be alowed if the movie was simply a school project, and not for a school fundraiser. But because money is being made, is this illegal? The fair use clause says it can be used for nonprofit educational uses. This is nonprofit. If this is illegal, would it change if the fundraiser was a dinner and the movies were simply shown during the fundraiser, and you are simply buying dinner? Thanks

[Mr. Knowitall]

When I was in high school we always obtained permission to use music in AV presentations, and I don't believe we were ever charged a royalty (despite using current, popular songs). There should be somebody within your school who has handled this type of thing in the past.