As we resurface back into exclusively Live events, new screening policies have been instituted in terms of content delivery and platform presentation. Going forward, The NOVA and GO Independent Film Festivals will screen exclusively Live. Live screenings will take place in only the best venues. We have selected the Angelika Film Centers and the LOOK Cinemas. Both theaters require film content to be in DCP format.

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​DCP stands for Digital Cinema Package, which is the industry standard for distributing and projecting movies digitally in theaters. DCPs are a collection of files that include audio, video, and metadata, and are encoded separately and combined at playback. (Google - AI Overview)

 

In concert with both format upgrade and returning to accepted cultural norms (travel, attendance, etc.), the following are our policies for screening live, accepted film content going forward.

 

Live Screenings (WE MUST PRODUCE AND DELIVER DCPs).

1. We require a DCP File of your content. The DCP must be produced by the festival for a fee. We exclude ALL EXTERNAL DCP files without exception. Your submission fee only covers your submission curation, and is separate from DCP fees. Thank you.

2. DCP File produced by us from your submitted h.264 file. Fees cover encoding, quality check, and film transfer to our venues.

   1. Fee (under 25 minutes): $150

   2. Fee (between 25-55 minutes): $350

   3. Fee (between 55-90 minutes): $450

   4. Fee (between 90-120 minutes) $600

   5. Fee (over 120 minutes) $850

3. We handle all Quality Checks and Communication with the venues.

4. The DCP file is yours to keep, after the festival. Please note that DCP files are notoriously fragile and corruptible. If using the files, we've produced for you, for other screenings, transfer the file in accordance with the venue protocols and technical specs. It is very strongly recommended to deliver files via a hard drive, unless the venue has a solid reputation of receiving DCP files via internet transfer. And ALWAYS have them QC your film before live screenings. Have them green light all aspects of video and sound level quality.

5. If you have submitted, and are accepted to more than one of our festivals, only the One (1) DCP file, which we produced, is required.

   1. A 50% charge is still required to screen Live for each, individual festival.​

6. A minimum of 3 DCP submissions are required per festival to screen in the venue.

7. DCP files are optional for those wishing to screen in theaters.

8. DCP orders are NOT required to be selected, nominated, or eligible to win awards at our festivals. Judgements are solely based on the quality of your submission(s).

 

 

Frequently Asked QUESTION.

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Why is DCP so expensive?

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Answer:

Standard DCP encoding rates range from $125 -$30K, depending on its length and quality. (Please Google it).

 

Furthermore, DCP files are both massive AND can only be Quality Checked on site and on the venues systems. Currently the technology to check DCP content anywhere else is unavailable, unlike an .mp4 file, for example. Both producing and sending multiple, and extremely large files to and for the venues is laborious at best, daunting at worst. A system has already been established with our relationships with both theaters.

                               

 

Please understand that policies and protocols will adapt in accordance with factors within and beyond our control. We will do our best to share, with as much notice as possible, any changes in schedule, venue or procedures.

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Lastly, Your participation in Live screening has zero impact on your potential Award Nomimation(s) or Win(s).

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“I did not attend, so can't comment on some categories, but they were very nice in their emails, and even though I did not pay for a dcp conversion, my film won several awards.”

 - Joyce Porter

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Please stay tuned for any updates. We will do our best to maintain as much stability, as we have control over. Thank you for your patience and understanding. As always, we will make every decision based on what is best for our artists.