As a filmmaker, it is imperative you understand the impact copyright law has on the filmmaking process and the film itself. Through copyright laws, you can protect the rights to produce and ultimately sell your film. Copyright also extends to the contents of your film, i.e. do you have content in your film that is protected under copyright law. 

Copyright ownership also provides you public performance rights, or PPR. PPRs give you the exclusive right to publicly perform or display your work publicly. In the case of film it is what gives you the exclusive right to create a product and display your film. It also prevents others from directly copying or profiting off your work.