Submission guides, technical specifications, distribution tips, and answers to every question — all in one place.
Before You Submit
Submission Checklist
Complete all items on this checklist before submitting your film. Films submitted with missing items may face delays in the review process.
Master Video File
MP4 or MOV at H.264 or H.265 encoding, minimum 1080p Full HD resolution. DCP accepted for theatrical-quality submissions.
Audio — Stereo Mix
Clean stereo audio mix. Isolated dialogue, music, and effects tracks preferred. Audio level normalised to -23 LUFS loudness standard.
English SRT Subtitle File
Required for global distribution. Full English subtitles in .SRT format, timed accurately to the video. Non-English films must include English subs.
Film Poster / Key Art
Minimum 2000×3000px (2:3 portrait ratio), JPG or PNG, minimum 300dpi. Used for platform pages and marketing.
Trailer (Recommended)
Minimum 90 seconds, ideally 2–3 minutes. Same technical spec as master. Used for platform marketing and buyer previews.
Full Metadata
Title, tagline, logline, full synopsis, genre, runtime, year, language, country of origin, cast, director, producer, and production company details.
Rights Documentation
Written confirmation of full copyright ownership or licensed rights. Music clearance documentation for any licensed soundtrack.
Content Alignment
Film must align with Christian or family-friendly content standards. No explicit content, excessive violence, or material contradicting FilmMerge's mission.
Ready to Submit?
Our team reviews all submissions within 5–7 business days and responds with feedback or next steps.
Clean stereo mix (L/R). 5.1 surround preferred but not required.
Format Required
AAC or PCM audio, embedded in video file. 48 kHz sample rate.
Loudness
Normalised to -23 LUFS (EBU R128 broadcast standard).
Isolated Tracks Optional
Separate dialogue, music, and effects (M&E) tracks strongly preferred for international dubbing.
Subtitles & Captions
Specification
Requirement
English Subtitles Required
Full English SRT file, accurately timed. Required for all films regardless of original language.
Format
.SRT preferred. .VTT or .ASS also accepted.
Additional Languages Optional
Additional language SRT files increase platform reach significantly.
Artwork & Marketing
Asset
Specification
Poster / Key Art Required
2000×3000px minimum (2:3 portrait). JPG or PNG, 300dpi. No embedded text obscuring central image area.
Landscape Banner Optional
1920×1080px JPG for platform header images. Recommended for Netflix/Amazon.
Trailer Recommended
90 seconds minimum. Same video spec as master file.
Pro Tips
Distribution Tips That Work
From the field of Christian film festival production and global distribution, here are the tips that consistently produce better results for independent filmmakers.
01
Write a Logline First
A strong one-sentence logline opens more doors than any other single piece of marketing. Platform curators read thousands of submissions — your logline must instantly communicate the emotional hook and spiritual stakes of your story.
02
Invest in Your Poster
On every streaming platform, your poster is the first — often only — thing a viewer sees before deciding to watch. A professional, compelling poster significantly increases click-through rates. It is as important as the film itself.
03
Prepare English Subtitles Before You Submit
Films without English subtitles are rejected by the majority of global platforms before review even begins. This applies even to English-language films — closed captions are required for accessibility compliance on many platforms.
04
Multiple License Types = More Revenue
Don't chase a single exclusive deal. Distributing across SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD simultaneously multiplies your earning potential. FilmMerge is built to manage this complexity so you don't have to.
05
Separate Your Music & Effects Track
If you can deliver isolated M&E audio tracks, your film becomes eligible for international dubbing deals — significantly expanding your audience in non-English speaking markets.
06
Think Festival Then Distribution
Festival screenings build credibility, audience proof, and media attention that translate directly into platform negotiation leverage. If your film has festival wins or notable screenings, document them. They matter.
07
Clear Your Music Rights Before Submission
Licensed music without documentation will block your distribution. Use original compositions, licensed royalty-free music with commercial distribution rights, or obtain written clearance for all third-party music before submitting.
08
Write a Full Synopsis — Not a Teaser
Platform buyers and acquisition teams need a complete synopsis to evaluate fit. A full 3–5 paragraph synopsis is essential. Include all major plot points and the resolution — this is a business requirement, not a spoiler problem.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions from filmmakers submitting to FilmMerge. If your question isn't here, contact our team directly.
Our team reviews all film submissions within 5–7 business days of receipt. You will receive an email response with either an approval, a request for additional materials, or feedback if the submission does not meet our standards.
Yes — 100%. You retain full copyright and intellectual property ownership throughout the entire distribution relationship. FilmMerge acts as your distribution partner under a licensing agreement only. We never acquire rights to your film.
FilmMerge distributes films that align with Christian values or family-friendly standards — including dramas, documentaries, short films, TV shows, animated films, missions content, and faith-based epics.
Yes. We distribute short films, feature films, documentaries, and episodic content (TV shows, web series). For episodic content, we prefer a minimum of 3 episodes for the initial submission.
Royalties are tracked in real time through your filmmaker dashboard and paid quarterly — in March, June, September, and December. A detailed statement is provided with each payment showing streams, views, and licensing revenue by platform and territory.
FilmMerge distributes across 100+ global platforms — including SVOD, AVOD, broadcast, and transactional channels across Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Visit our Platform Network page for the full list.
Generally yes, but with caveats. Many platforms require exclusivity windows or will not accept content already publicly available for free. We recommend discussing your existing upload situation with our team during the review process.
FilmMerge operates on a revenue-sharing model — we take a distribution fee as a percentage of revenues generated. There are no upfront submission fees. Our distribution agreement outlines the exact percentage split before you sign anything.
Terminology
Distribution Glossary
Key terms you'll encounter throughout the film distribution process.
SVOD
Subscription Video on Demand. Viewers pay a monthly or annual subscription to access a library. Examples: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pure Flix.
AVOD
Advertising-based Video on Demand. Free to watch for viewers; revenue comes from advertising. Examples: Tubi, YouTube Free, Pluto TV.
TVOD
Transactional Video on Demand. Viewers pay per title — either to rent or purchase. Examples: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon TVOD.
DCP
Digital Cinema Package. The professional delivery standard for theatrical cinema projection. Required for screening in certified theatres and film festivals.
M&E Track
Music and Effects track — the audio mix without dialogue. Enables international dubbing by providing clean music and effects for foreign language versions.
Logline
A single sentence that captures the core conflict, protagonist, and emotional hook of your film. Essential for pitching to platforms and buyers.
Rights / IP
Intellectual Property rights. As the rights holder, you own your film and control how it can be used, distributed, and licensed. FilmMerge operates as a licensee — not a rights owner.
Clearance
Written permission to use copyrighted material (music, footage, logos, etc.) in your film for commercial distribution. Lack of clearance is the most common cause of distribution delays.
LUFS
Loudness Units relative to Full Scale. The broadcast standard for audio loudness measurement. FilmMerge requires audio normalised to -23 LUFS for platform compliance.
Ingest
The process of a streaming platform receiving, processing, and loading your film into their system. FilmMerge handles the technical ingest process for all platforms in our network.
Windowing
The strategic sequencing of distribution across different channels — e.g., theatrical first, then SVOD, then AVOD. FilmMerge advises on the optimal distribution window strategy for each film.
Screener
A review copy of your film provided to buyers, programmers, or press for evaluation purposes. FilmMerge manages screener requests through its platform on your behalf.
Revenue
Understanding Royalties
How film royalties work across different license types — and how FilmMerge tracks and pays them.
SVOD Royalties
Paid as a share of platform subscription revenue, calculated per stream or per minute viewed. Rates vary by platform. Typically paid as a flat licensing fee upfront plus per-stream royalties.
AVOD Royalties
Paid as a percentage of advertising revenue generated by views of your film. Revenue fluctuates with ad market rates. Generally lower per-view than SVOD but reaches larger audiences.
TVOD Royalties
Typically 50–70% of the transaction price per rental or purchase, after platform fees. Highest per-transaction royalty but depends on active purchase behaviour from viewers.
Broadcast Licensing
Usually a flat one-time or per-run fee negotiated with the broadcaster. Can be the most predictable and largest single payment for qualifying films.
Payment Schedule
FilmMerge processes royalty payments quarterly — March, June, September, and December. Detailed statements are provided with each payment showing per-platform revenue breakdown.
Dashboard Tracking
Your filmmaker dashboard shows real-time streaming data, license status, and projected revenue. Accessible 24/7 once your film is live on the network.
Questions About Revenue?
Our team can walk you through realistic revenue projections for your specific film and distribution goals.
FilmMerge uses cookies to keep the platform secure and improve your experience.
Essential cookies keep forms, portal access, and security features working. You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or manage preferences. See our Cookie Policy.