Your film, ready for the big screen.
FilmServeDCP turns your final master into a DCI-compliant DCP that plays on any cinema server. Festival submissions, theatrical bookings, test screenings, previews and premiere screenings, delivered on time and checked before it leaves us.
Everything between your final export and the projector
DCP creation
2K or 4K, Flat or Scope, SMPTE or Interop. We conform color to DCI-P3 XYZ and wrap picture, sound and subtitles into one clean package.
Encryption and KDMs
Lock your DCP for premieres and paid runs. We issue keys for specific theaters and dates so only booked screens can play it.
Drives and downloads
CRU drives formatted ext3 for cinema servers, or a secure download link for festivals that accept digital delivery.
Four steps from upload to screening
Send your master
Upload a ProRes 4444 or 422 HQ file, or a TIFF/DPX sequence, plus your final mix.
We build the DCP
Color transform, JPEG 2000 encode, audio and subtitle wrap, named to the Digital Cinema Naming Convention.
Quality check
Spot checked or full playback on a cinema server, with checks for sync, levels, subtitles and frame accuracy.
Delivery
Shipped on a drive or sent as a download, with KDMs if your package is encrypted.
Got a festival deadline?
Shorts are ready in 24 hours and features in 48. Need it today? The Same Day DCP is delivered within 12 hours.
Tell us about your projectServices and pricing
Flat rates by runtime. Every package includes color conversion, a spot-check QC and naming that follows the Digital Cinema Naming Convention. Full playback QC on a cinema server is available as the Screening test add-on.
Pick the package that fits your film and add what you need. Want to talk about rates or have a custom request? Contact us.
Shorts
- 2K Flat or Scope, 24 fps
- Stereo or 5.1 audio
- SMPTE DCP, unencrypted
- Secure download delivery
- Spot-checked QC
- Turnaround in 24 hours
Feature
- 2K or 4K, Flat or Scope, 24 fps
- 5.1 or 7.1 audio
- SMPTE DCP, unencrypted
- One subtitle language included
- Spot-checked QC
- Turnaround in 48 hours
Same Day DCP
- 2K Flat or Scope, 24 fps
- Stereo or 5.1 audio
- SMPTE DCP, unencrypted
- Secure download delivery
- Spot-checked QC
- Turnaround in 12 hours
Add-ons
| Service | What it covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption with 15 KDMs | Locked DCP with keys for 15 theaters | $150 |
| Extra subtitle language | Converted from your SRT or STL file | $100 each |
| Additional KDMs | Keys for more theaters or dates | $10 each |
| CRU drive | Cinema-ready drive with case, shipped | $200 |
| Trailer DCP | Up to 3 minutes, same specs as your feature | $25 |
| Screening test | Full ingest and QC with our DCP operator | $500 |
What to send us
- Picture
- ProRes 4444 / 422 HQ, or 16-bit TIFF / DPX
- Color
- Rec.709, P3-D65 or DCI-P3
- Frame rate
- 23.976, 24, 25 or 30 fps
- Audio
- WAV 24-bit 48 kHz, stereo or 5.1 discrete
- Subtitles
- SRT, STL or timed text XML
- Handles
- 2 s of black at head and tail
Built by post production experts who know how a movie should look and sound
FilmServeDCP started after too many preview screenings got complicated with expensive rates, long lead times and nickel and diming add-ons.
We make DCPs for independent and studio system filmmakers: shorts, documentaries and features headed for festivals, one-night premieres, test and preview screenings, and limited theatrical runs. We spot check everything to ensure the movie is exactly as the creator intended.
You work directly with the actual person building your DCP. Send your master, tell us where it's screening, and we'll handle the format questions. If the festival wants Interop and your distributor wants SMPTE, we can make both.
Pricing is flat and published. Pick your package and add-ons, and if you need something custom, get in touch.
- Formats
- SMPTE and Interop DCPs, 2K and 4K
- Clients
- Studios, independent filmmakers, festivals, small distributors
- Quality check
- Spot check on every package, full playback with a Screening test
- Turnaround
- 24 hours for shorts, 48 hours for features, or 12 hours with Same Day
- Delivery
- Secure download or CRU drive, shipped
Talk to the person making your DCP
Contact usFrequently asked questions
Answers about DCPs, deliverables and how we work. If yours isn't here, ask us.
About DCPs
What is a DCP?
A Digital Cinema Package is the standard file format cinemas use to play films. It holds your picture as JPEG 2000 frames, your audio as uncompressed PCM, optional subtitles, and a playlist (the CPL) that tells the cinema server how to play it all together.
Do I really need one? Can't the cinema play my MP4?
Most cinemas and nearly every major festival require a DCP. Cinema servers are built for DCPs, and a DCP looks and sounds the way the theater's projector and sound system are calibrated to show it.
What's the difference between SMPTE and Interop?
They are two versions of the DCP standard. SMPTE is the current one and supports more frame rates, better subtitles and richer metadata. Interop is older but some festivals and servers still ask for it. We make whichever your venue needs, or both.
Flat or Scope?
Flat (1998×1080 in 2K) suits films around 1.85:1. Scope (2048×858) suits films around 2.39:1. We pick the container that fits your aspect ratio so the image fills the screen without unwanted bars.
What is the Same Day DCP?
When you need a DCP today, we deliver a checked DCP within 12 hours of receiving your files. It covers films up to 150 minutes for $1,000.
Should my DCP be 2K or 4K?
2K plays everywhere and is what most festivals expect. Choose 4K if your master is 4K and you know the venue projects in 4K. A 4K DCP plays on 2K systems too, at 2K.
Working with us
How long does it take?
Shorts are delivered within 24 hours and features within 48 hours, counted from when we receive working files.
The Same Day DCP is $1,000 and is delivered within 12 hours.
Can I get different rates or a custom package?
Yes. For multiple films, long runtimes, unusual formats or anything not listed, contact us.
How do I send you my film?
After you book, we send you a secure upload link. For very large masters we can also accept a shipped drive.
What is a KDM and do I need one?
A Key Delivery Message unlocks an encrypted DCP on one specific cinema server for a set window of time. You only need KDMs if your DCP is encrypted, which is common for premieres and paid theatrical runs. Most festival DCPs are unencrypted.
What if my DCP doesn't play at the venue?
Every package is spot checked before delivery. If a venue still has trouble, we'll work with their projectionist to fix it and send a corrected package at no charge.
Do you keep a copy of my DCP?
We keep your DCP for 10 days, during which we can resend it. Keys (KDMs) can be issued for up to 90 days. If you need us to keep your DCP longer, please contact us to discuss.
Build your order
Pick a package, add what you need, tell us about your film, then check out. Questions about rates or a custom job? Contact us.
- Package
- Add-ons
- Film details
- Cart and checkout
Choose a package
Add what you need
All optional. For items priced each, set how many you need.
Tell us about your film
Questions, rates and custom requests
Ready to book? Build your order. For anything else, including rates, multiple films, long runtimes or special formats, send us a message.