DCP Drop

Drop your film. Get your DCP. $100 flat. Opening soon.

Your festival wants a DCP, the file cinemas play. Send us the video you already have and we'll make one. There's no software to learn.

Email us when you're ready

We're not open yet. Send a note and we'll tell you the day we are.

How it will work

  1. Drop in your film.

    Any MP4 or MOV you can already play on your computer. A slow connection is fine: the upload picks up where it left off.

  2. We check it for you.

    We look at the picture shape, frame rate and sound, and fix what we can. If something needs you, we say so in plain English.

  3. Answer three questions.

    The film's title, whether it is a short or a feature, and its language. That is all the paperwork.

  4. See it before you pay.

    Look through sample frames and a short clip the way they will play in a cinema. Pay $100 only if you like what you see.

  5. Get your link.

    We email you a download link that stays live for 30 days. Keep the DCP, or forward the link straight to your festival.

One price, any length

$100admits one film

Up to 2 hours long

  • 2K picture
  • Stereo or 5.1 sound
  • Subtitles, if burned into your video
  • Download link for 30 days

Many labs charge around $300 for a short. Per-minute services can pass $700 for a 90-minute feature. Here, a feature costs the same as a short.

Questions

What is a DCP?

A Digital Cinema Package is the folder of files a cinema server plays. Cinemas can't reliably project an ordinary video file, so when a festival accepts your film, it will often ask for one.

Do I need to know anything technical?

No. If you can export your film from your editing app, you have everything you need. We handle the frame rate, the picture shape, the sound layout and the long technical file name cinemas expect.

What does $100 include?

One film up to 2 hours long, at 2K, with stereo or 5.1 sound, delivered by download link. The price doesn't change with the length, so a 90-minute feature costs the same as a 5-minute short.

Why is it cheaper than a lab?

Many labs charge around $300 for a short, and per-minute services can pass $700 for a feature. They're often doing hands-on work. We do the standard job automatically, which is what most first-time festival films need.

When should I use a lab instead?

If you need Dolby Atmos, 4K, encryption or a separate subtitle track, a full-service lab is the better choice. We leave those out to keep this simple and affordable.

Can I have subtitles?

Yes, if they are already part of the picture. Export your film with the subtitles burned in and they will stay put.

What if my festival wants a hard drive?

Check first, because many will take a download link. If yours wants a drive, we send plain instructions for putting the DCP on one.

What if it doesn't play?

Tell us what happened. We fix it for free, or refund your $100.

Is my film safe with you?

Your film stays private and is deleted 30 days after delivery. You must own the film or have the right to use it.

Got a festival deadline?

Tell us your film's length and your deadline. We'll let you know when we open, and whether we can help in time.

Email hello@dcpdrop.com