Film festival DCP requirements: what 11 of the top festivals say
You got in, and the festival wants a DCP. Here is what 11 festivals say about it in their own words, and the quickest way to have yours.
What 11 festivals say about DCPs
Each row was read on the festival's own page or its official FilmFreeway listing on 24 October 2026. Rules change every edition, so check your own festival's page for your edition.
| Festival | Edition | DCP rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance | 2027 | Required for in-person screenings. ProRes also if online | "All participating projects are required to provide DCP for in-person screenings." | Sundance, What to Expect (PDF) |
| Clermont-Ferrand | 2027 | Required, unencrypted | "Compulsory screening format (if your film is selected): DCP." | Clermont-Ferrand, international rules 2027 (PDF) |
| Hot Docs | 2027 (April 23 to May 2) | Required | "If your film is selected for the festival, we will require a DCP of the film." | Hot Docs, film submissions FAQ |
| Aspen Shortsfest | 2027 (April 6 to 10) | DCP only | "Aspen Shortsfest is a DCP-only festival." | FilmFreeway, Aspen Shortsfest |
| Palm Springs ShortFest | 2027 (June 22 to 28) | Required | "If selected, shorts must be available for projection in DCP." | FilmFreeway, Palm Springs International ShortFest |
| Screamfest | Current listing | DCP only | "Acceptable screening formats are: DCP only." | FilmFreeway, Screamfest Horror Film Festival |
| Austin Film Festival | 2026 (Oct 29 to Nov 5) | Digital files. No DCP | "AFF screens films and series as digital files during the Festival and does NOT screen on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP." | FilmFreeway, Austin Film Festival |
| VIFF | 2026 (45th) | Features on DCP. Shorts not stated | "Accepted feature films can be exhibited theatrically on DCP." | FilmFreeway, VIFF |
| TIFF | 2026 | Exhibition format not stated in the submissions FAQ | "DCPs will only be accepted by invitation from TIFF's programming team" (about screeners) | TIFF, submissions FAQ (PDF) |
| Fantasia | 2027 (July 15 to Aug 1) | Not stated | "the exhibition print/video copy of your film" | FilmFreeway, Fantasia International Film Festival |
| Regard (Saguenay) | 31st | Not stated on the call page | No format stated | Regard, call for films, 31st edition |
What the table tells you
- Six of the 11 require a DCP for shorts. Sundance, Clermont-Ferrand, Hot Docs, Aspen, Palm Springs and Screamfest. VIFF names DCP for features. Austin names it as the one format it does not use.
- Many festivals tell you after you're selected. Clermont-Ferrand, Hot Docs and Palm Springs each attach their DCP rule to "if selected". Selection is usually when a filmmaker first hears the word.
- Deadlines come weeks before the festival. Clermont-Ferrand wants its DCP by FTP by 17 December 2026. Sundance's shorts deadline is Monday, December 21, 2026.
- Captions and subtitles travel with the DCP. Sundance asks English projects for closed captions and an open caption DCP. Clermont-Ferrand wants subtitles in XML or MXF format, not burnt in. Aspen requires open English captions on films with dialogue.
- Read your own festival's rules. Austin screens files and says so plainly.
The shortcut
You can make a DCP free with DCP-o-matic, which is harder, or through a post-production house, which is expensive. Or you can have shortfilmdcp.com make it.
A DCP for your short film starting at $10 delivered in 24 hours or less. Every package is tested before your link is sent.
Does my film festival need a DCP?
Of the 11 festivals we read, six require a DCP for shorts, including Sundance, Clermont-Ferrand, Hot Docs, Aspen Shortsfest, Palm Springs ShortFest and Screamfest. Austin Film Festival screens digital files and does not screen DCP. TIFF, Fantasia and Regard state no exhibition format on the pages we read, so your acceptance information is where yours appears.
Do I need a DCP for Sundance?
Yes for in-person screenings. Sundance 2027 says: "All participating projects are required to provide DCP for in-person screenings." The shorts print delivery deadline for DCP and ProRes is Monday, December 21, 2026.
When is the DCP due?
It varies by festival. Clermont-Ferrand 2027 asks for the DCP by FTP by 17 December 2026, and Sundance 2027 shorts by 21 December 2026. Most festivals publish the date once you're selected.
How do I get a DCP for a film festival?
There are three routes: free with DCP-o-matic, from $10 with shortfilmdcp.com in 24 hours or less, or through a post-production house. Choose your file on the shortfilmdcp.com home page and you see your price before you pay.