What is the average cost of making a DCP?

Most short films cost between $40–$80 to convert to DCP, while features range from $100–$200 depending on resolution and encryption.

Why do I need a DCP for festivals?

Nearly all major film festivals require DCPs as the standardized theatrical playback format to ensure consistent quality and compatibility.

How can I save money when finishing my movie?

Use a 2K unencrypted DCP, plan early, and use automated online services like DCP Generator to reduce costs.

DCP Generator Home Get a Quote Guidelines How to Make a DCP

The Real Cost of Making a Movie (What Filmmakers Forget)

Every filmmaker plans for camera rentals, locations, and food — but post-production costs often come as a shock. From sound to color grading to DCP creation for festivals, the hidden expenses of “finishing” your film can quickly blow your budget. Here’s what you should plan for — and how to save money without cutting quality.

🎬 The Hidden Costs of Post-Production

Once filming wraps, post-production becomes a maze of technical and creative steps. These are often the costs filmmakers overlook:

Sound Mixing: $200–$2,000 depending on complexity and duration.
Color Grading: $300–$3,000 for consistent tone and style.
Subtitles and Captions: $1–$3 per minute for accessibility compliance.
Delivery Formats: ProRes masters, streaming exports, and DCPs for theaters.

💡 Pro Tip:

Budget an extra 10–15% of your total production cost for post and delivery. That buffer often saves filmmakers from last-minute panic before festival submissions.

📦 What Is a DCP — and Why It’s Always the Last-Minute Surprise

A Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is the standardized format required for theatrical projection. Most major festivals (Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes, TIFF) will not accept MP4s or ProRes files — they require a DCP. This step comes right when money’s tight and deadlines are near.

2K DCP: Ideal for short films and most festivals.
4K DCP: Used for features or high-end screenings.
Encrypted DCP: Adds security with Key Delivery Messages (KDMs).

Learn what a DCP is and why festivals require it →

💸 How Much Does a DCP Cost?

The price varies based on runtime, resolution, and whether encryption is needed. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Short films (under 20 min): $40–$80
Features (under 2 hours): $100–$200
4K upgrade: +$30–$60
KDM encryption: +$20–$40

These are standard industry averages, but new automated services like DCP Generator offer cloud-based DCP rendering for much less — with instant uploads and student discounts.

📅 Plan Your Festival Delivery Early

Every year, filmmakers miss festival deadlines not because of editing delays — but because their DCP wasn’t ready. Plan your DCP creation at least 7–10 days before your submission date so you have time to test and validate your file.

🎓 How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Render in 2K — most projectors upscale beautifully.
Skip encryption unless required by your distributor.
Use student discounts if you’re submitting through a film school.
Batch multiple shorts together to save on per-file costs.

Get an Instant DCP Quote →

📚 Related Reading

🎬 Ready to bring your film to the big screen? Upload your master file and get a festival-ready DCP in hours — without breaking your post-production budget.

Start Your DCP Now →

Home - Build Your DCP - Your Archive - Sitemap