What is a DCP in film festivals?
A DCP (Digital Cinema Package) is a standardized digital format used across the film industry to screen movies in professional cinemas — including film festivals
It includes:
Why festivals need it?
- Video, typically encoded in JPEG 2000, in 2K or 4K resolution
- Audio, as uncompressed broadcast WAV files
- Metadata, such as timing, subtitles, and playback instructions
- Color and brightness consistency
- Compatibility with different servers (IOM/SMPTE)
- Manage language, subtitles and KDMs
Think of it as the modern, digital equivalent of a 35mm film print — built to ensure consistent, high-quality playback on large cinema screens like in festivals.
Why Film Festivals Require a Properly-Made DCP
Many festivals accept MP4 or MOV files — but if your film screens in a digital cinema, it must be delivered as a DCP: the only format compatible with digital cinema projectors.
A DCP ensures your film plays smoothly, looks great, and meets festival standards. But it’s not just about the file — festivals expect precise specs: frame rate, color space, aspect ratio, audio mapping, subtitles, and drive formatting.
One wrong setting can mean rejection or playback failure.
That’s why working with a professional isn’t optional — it’s essential.
“We run a cinema and a film festival — so we know exactly what projection teams expect, and how to deliver it.
At DCPReady, we ensure your DCP is tested, compliant, and ready for real-world screenings — on time, and to spec.
Skip the Stress. We’ll Handle Your Festival DCP
Why Filmmakers Trust DCPready
Because we know what happens when a DCP fails — we’ve been in the projection booth. We see cinema as our way of life and we will take care of your film
- Born from a real cinema: we test our work like it will be screened
- Fast turnaround (24–48h)
- Simple, clear process — no confusing specs, no second guesses
- Optional real-theater QC available
- Subtitles and audio handled in-house
- We are SMPTE ad ISDCF registered members
Personalized support for indie filmmakers and teams with tight schedules
What’s Included in Our Festival DCP Service
We don’t just convert a file, with our unique process we craft the best DCP for your film, ensuring the highest quality experience for the audience in the cinema.
We handle all the technical complexity — so you don’t have to.
- Accept any professional source format (ProRes, DNxHD, H.264, etc.)
- Deliver a fully compatible Digital Cinema Package, ready to screen
- Frame rate, color space, aspect ratio all optimized for projection
- Audio checked and leveled for theatrical sound
- Subtitle files integrated (burned-in or separate)
- Delivered via download link or formatted hard drive (USB3/EXT2/EXT3)
- Follow every SMPTE/IOP/ISDCF format and specs
Note: If your festival has a specific tech sheet, we’ll adapt to it.
Common Use Cases
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Short films preparing for international festival circuits
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Student projects submitted to competition or academic showcases
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Documentary films launching with global or regional distribution
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First-time features by emerging or independent filmmakers
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Award submissions that require DCP for cinema playback
Why Doing It Yourself Isn’t Worth the Risk
DIY DCP tools can be useful — but they leave too much room for error.
Wrong frame rate, audio issues, incorrect subtitles, incompatible drives… these mistakes can lead to failed screenings or festival rejection.
With DCPready, you don’t have to worry about:
- Whether your film will play or load
- If your subtitles will be readable
- If your colors or audio will be off
We handle it all — so your film screens perfectly.
What Indie Filmmakers Are Saying?
Olga M.
"I find DCP creation the most stressful part of the whole filmmaking process and always just prefer a post house to do it."
Kyle G.
I just got accepted to my first film festival and had to teach myself what a DCP is. DCPReady made the full process easy
Gus R.
Creating a DCP with DCPReady gave my film access to festivals that would have been out of reach otherwise
David D.
This is so awesome and can't wait to dive in. We saw the cinema recording DCPReady provide us as real theatre QC and looks amazing
Frank H.
I'm really very grateful for the work you've done and I can't thank you enough, as I've stretched the limits of my efforts on the film and its small budget
Cristina L
It was my first time creating a DCP, and seeing my film on the big screen looked incredible.
FAQs
What is a Digital Cinema Package (DCP)?
A DCP is the standard format used for professional digital cinema projection. It packages video, audio, and subtitle data in a way that cinema servers can read. It replaces DVD or Blu-ray as the required format for most film festivals.
What are the two types of DCP?
There are two main types of DCPs: Interop and SMPTE.
- Interop DCPs (short for Interoperable Master Format) are the older standard, originally designed to work across early digital cinema systems. Some legacy cinema servers still rely on Interop for compatibility.
- SMPTE DCPs follow a more modern standard set by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. They’re now widely supported and required by many film festivals and cinemas for features like improved subtitle handling and accessibility.
At DCPready, we’ll choose the right type for your screening, depending on your festival’s technical requirements — so you don’t have to worry about the difference.
Do you use JPEG-2000 compression and 24-bit audio?
Yes. We deliver DCPs with JPEG-2000 compressed video, 24-bit PCM audio at 48 kHz, and color space conversion to XYZ (DCI‑P3), ensuring compatibility with cinema projectors.
Can you format the DCP drive for me?
Yes. We can deliver on a USB3 hard drive formatted as EXT2, EXT3, or NTFS depending on the festival requirements. Digital delivery is also available.
Do I need a KDM (encryption)?
Only if your festival or distributor requests a secure DCP. Most festival submissions don’t require encryption, but we can provide it if needed.
Can you check my DCP in a real cinema?
Yes — we offer optional real-theater testing. Your DCP is projected and reviewed in our own cinema before delivery, giving you total peace of mind.
What is an MXF file and why is it used in a DCP?
MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a professional container format used within a Digital Cinema Package. Each element — video, audio, subtitles — is stored in separate MXF files for compatibility with cinema servers. It’s a core part of how DCPs are structured for reliable playback.
What is a CPL (Composition Playlist)?
A CPL defines how the different components of your DCP — audio, video, subtitles — are synchronized and played back in order. Think of it as the “instructions” that tell the cinema server how to present your film correctly.
Do I need to split my film into reels for festival screenings?
Reel splitting is typically only required for feature-length films or when a festival requests it. Each reel is a segment of your film (usually under 20–25 minutes) that plays seamlessly. We can handle this if your festival has specific requirements.
What’s the difference between a DCDM and a DCP?
A DCDM (Digital Cinema Distribution Master) is a high-quality intermediate format used in the creation of a DCP. While not delivered to festivals, it’s an internal step in professional DCP mastering. At DCPready, we handle this process behind the scenes to ensure your DCP meets all projection standards
Can you work with XML subtitle files or timed text formats?
Yes. We accept SRT, XML (SMPTE Timed Text), and can convert other subtitle formats if needed. We’ll ensure your subtitles are properly synced and formatted for the screen, whether burned-in or separate.
What kind of hard drive formatting is accepted by festivals and cinemas?
Most cinemas accept DCPs on drives formatted as EXT2 or EXT3 (Linux-based). Some may also accept NTFS. We deliver your DCP using the correct format based on your festival’s requirements, whether you’re uploading digitally or sending a physical drive.
Ready to Submit to a Festival? Let’s Make Sure Your DCP Is Ready Too.
Get your DCP conversion started
1. Select a DCP
2. Choose your payment method
3. Upload your file
DCP Conversion Professional
Cinema-ready DCP with full technical QC-
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Full QC before delivery
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Subtitles embedded (burned-in) into the image (if subtitles exists)
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Audio levels normalization
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Video codec revision and optimization
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Video in 2k or 4k
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Standard SMPTE or IOP
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Container adaptation (Flat, Scope, Full Container)
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Cloud Fast Upload
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Cloud Fast Delivery
DCP Conversion Advanced
Deadline-friendly and 1 free remake if needed-
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Everything in professional plus
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24h delivery
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Subtitles embedded as Version File, selectable in projection (if subtitles exists)
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Framerate conversion
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Free laurel additions (selections and awards)
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One free remake (smpte/iop, subtitles, fps)
DCP Conversion Premium
Maximum peace of mind: tested in a real cinema-
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Everything in advanced plus
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Cloud storage and unlimited deliveries during one year
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Test screening in a real theater
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