Delivery requirements vary by distributor, aggregator, platform, territory and release format, and they change over time. This checklist covers common preparation categories; it is not a substitute for a destination's current delivery schedule. ributor verifies current requirements for the destinations named in each project.
1. Picture master
- A mezzanine master in a widely accepted intermediate codec such as ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHR HQX; some destinations accept high-bitrate H.264 or H.265.
- A constant, native frame rate — no mixed or variable frame rates, and no conversions layered on conversions.
- Resolution that matches your finish, at or above the destination's minimum; note the source resolution rather than upscaling to reach it.
- Rec. 709 for SDR delivery; HDR only where a graded, verified HDR pass exists and the destination accepts it.
- No slate, burned-in timecode, watermark, festival laurels or distributor logo anywhere in the file.
- Correct head and tail handles; textless inserts supplied separately if titles will be localised.
- Aspect ratio flagged correctly, with no letterboxing baked into the raster unless it is intentional.
2. Audio
- Stereo 2.0 at minimum, and a 5.1 mix where one exists, with correct channel order (L R C LFE Ls Rs).
- Integrated loudness and true peak measured against the target destination's stated levels — the figures differ between broadcast-style and streaming-first destinations, so confirm the current sheet rather than assuming one number.
- Clean, centre-balanced dialogue with no clipping, phasing, distortion or dropouts.
- Dialogue intelligible against music and effects — the most common note from QC houses.
- Sample rate, bit depth and channel layout matching what the destination asks for.
- An M&E (music and effects) track prepared if any international sale is plausible.
3. Captions and subtitles
- An SDH caption file (SRT or VTT) synchronised frame-accurately to the exact master you deliver.
- Speaker identification and non-speech cues included; forced-narrative subtitles for foreign dialogue.
- Line count, characters per line, reading speed and minimum event duration checked against the destination's current caption rules — these vary and have been revised recently at several destinations.
- Spelling of names, places and brands verified against the credit list.
- Separate files per language; never burned in unless the destination explicitly requires it.
4. Artwork
- High-resolution RGB source artwork with enough native pixel data to produce every required aspect ratio without upscaling.
- Coverage of the common aspect-ratio families: 2:3 vertical, 3:4 vertical and 16:9 horizontal. Minimum pixel dimensions differ by destination, so build from the largest source you have.
- Textless versions with no title treatment, credits, laurels or ratings.
- Title-safe margins so storefront overlays do not crop your title.
- JPEG or PNG for direct submission, with layered source retained for future variants.
- A credit block that is accurate and legally compliant if it appears on the art.
5. Trailer
- Runtime confirmed against the destination profile — permitted lengths vary, and shorter cuts are generally recommended.
- Delivered at the same technical standard as the feature, with picture, audio and subtitles verified.
- All music licensed for promotional use — trailer music is a frequent rights failure.
- No festival laurels, distributor idents or other promotional content where the destination restricts them.
- Captions for the trailer if the destination requires accessibility parity.
6. Metadata and editorial
- Logline (one sentence), short synopsis (roughly 50 words) and long synopsis or sales description (150–250 words).
- Primary and secondary genre, plus a keyword set aligned to how audiences actually search.
- Cast and crew with consistent name spelling and role mapping across every document.
- Runtime to the second, production year, country of origin, original language, ratings or advisories.
- Copyright line and production company details matching your rights documents.
7. Documents and rights
- Music cue sheet: every cue with timing, usage type, composer, publisher and PRO splits.
- Chain-of-title documents: writer agreements, option or assignment, director and producer agreements, corporate ownership.
- Talent releases, location releases and clearances for any third-party footage, stills or logos.
- E&O insurance status, which many distributors require before a title is made available.
- Any festival or funding obligations that could restrict a release window.
8. Package hygiene
- One consistent file-naming convention: Title_Year_Element_Spec_Language_Version.
- A folder tree a stranger can navigate without asking you a question.
- Checksums for every large file so corrupted transfers are detectable.
- An asset manifest listing what is in the package and what each file is for.
- A written QC report documenting checks, results and corrections.
- Everything in one location, with access that does not expire mid-review.
Version note: reviewed September 2026. Technical guidance is revised whenever a destination publishes a change.