From the completion of principal photography to obtaining the official release permit (the "Dragon Label"), what materials do you need to prepare and what steps are involved? This guide walks you through the entire process to ensure you don't miss any critical milestones.
Step 1: Preliminary Review — Provincial Film & TV Authority Review
Once the film is finished, the producer must submit a preliminary review application to the provincial radio and television administrative authority where the production company is registered. This is the most critical first step toward securing the release permit.
Required Materials
- Review Copy — HDCAM tape or DCP (Digital Cinema Package) mastering master, must comply with NRTA technical specifications
- Domestic Film Review Application Form — With the production company's official seal, in duplicate
- Film Creative Personnel Information Form — Registration of all key creative team members
- Film Title Approval Notice — Official documentation of the approved title (if using an English title, include a statement explaining its use)
- Final Script — Must match the completed film's content exactly
- Original Shooting Permit — All permits obtained during production
- Copy of Production Company Business License — With company seal
- Overseas Contract Documents (for co-productions) — Contracts for acquiring overseas scripts or engaging overseas principal creative personnel
LI TRUST Tip: The DCP master is the most technically critical element in the preliminary review. We have produced approved DCP masters for over 2,000 films and are familiar with the technical acceptance standards of provincial film bureaus. We offer a "review-grade DCP one-stop production" service.
Step 2: Obtaining the Dragon Label — Applying for the Release Permit
After passing the preliminary review, you need to produce the final exhibition version and apply to the China Film Administration for the official release permit (commonly known as the "Dragon Label"). This is the mandatory document for a film's legal entry into theaters.
Materials Required for Film Publication License
- Film File — MP4 or MOV on USB drive (H.264, 3–8 GB) for archive purposes
- Original Film Review Decision — Issued by provincial broadcasting authority after preliminary approval
- Original Film Review Comments Form — Including revision requests from the review committee and status of implementation
- Revision Implementation Note — If modifications were required during preliminary review, provide a statement of compliance
USB Drive Technical Specifications
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- Codec: H.264
- File size: 3–8 GB
- Must include Chinese subtitles
- Head must contain the film publication license animation
Estimated Timeline
- Preliminary review: 30 business days after submission
- License issuance: 3–5 business days
- Resubmission after revisions: additional time
- Co-production review takes longer
LI TRUST Tip: We can convert your DCP master into a compliant MP4/MOV archive file — ensuring correct encoding, embedded subtitles, and proper file size. One pass, no back-and-forth.
Step 3: Final Review — Technical Review by China Film Administration
After obtaining the Film Publication License, the film must undergo a final technical review, submitting a complete screening master and related promotional materials. This is the last quality gate before theatrical release.
Materials Required for Final Review
- DCP Screening Master — A compliant digital cinema package (2K/4K) that passes conformance testing
- DVD Discs × 3 — Standard DVD format for archival purposes
⚠️ Important Note: Starting in 2024, the China Film Administration requires that all DCP submission masters pass the "Digital Film Submission Master Compliance Detection Software" inspection, with the report included on the hard drive. LI TRUST fully supports this testing process. See the Complete DCP Compliance Checklist for details.
Special Considerations by Film Type
Co-Productions
You must also submit the co-production agreement, resumes of key overseas crew, qualification documents of the foreign production company, and a notarized translated letter of commitment from the foreign party. The review period is typically 15–30 business days longer than for domestic films.
Imported Films
Separate applications must be filed with the Import/Export Department of the China Film Administration. In addition to review materials, you'll need to provide the copyright contract, tax clearance certificate, and Chinese dubbing or subtitle plan. It's recommended to choose a service provider with experience in translating imported films.
Film Prints
For films shot on 35mm, a standard answer print is required for the preliminary review; for the final review, both the film master and a digital DCP must be submitted. LI TRUST offers 2K/4K film scanning and digital restoration services.
Web Films / Shorts
The review process for web-first films is essentially the same as for theatrical releases, but technical specifications may be relaxed (DCP format is not mandatory). Still, we recommend producing to DCP standards to leave the door open for future theatrical distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DCP for censorship review the same as the DCP for theatrical release?
Not exactly. Censorship review DCPs are typically unencrypted for easy playback by the review board, while theatrical DCPs require KDM encryption and key distribution. LI TRUST can produce both versions simultaneously and deliver them in one batch.
What if the DCP fails compliance testing?
Common causes include encoding parameters that don't meet SMPTE standards, incorrect audio channel configuration, or subtitle format errors. LI TRUST performs a comprehensive pre-check before packaging to ensure it passes the official test on the first try.
How long does the censorship review process typically take?
Provincial preliminary review usually takes 30 working days. The "Dragon Label" (film release permit) production takes about 3–5 working days, and the final technical review takes about 10–15 working days. We recommend setting aside at least 3 months for the whole review process.
Can the festival version and the review version be different?
Yes. The festival version (Festival DCP) can be produced and screened before the review version. However, the final theatrical release version must pass the review by the China Film Administration. We can manage multiple DCP versions for you.
What submission-related services does LI TRUST offer?
We provide: review-grade DCP mastering, DCP compliance testing, MP4/MOV transcoding, DVD authoring, M&E (Music & Effects) track creation, multilingual subtitle translation and embedding, film scanning and digitization, and multi-version management (review version / theatrical version / festival version).
For professional review-grade DCP mastering services, please contact us: [email protected]. LI TRUST has completed review-grade DCP mastering for 2000+ films with a 100% review pass rate.