From the completion of principal photography to obtaining a theatrical release permit (the "dragon stamp"), what materials do you need to prepare and what steps are involved? This guide walks you through the entire process, so you won't miss a single critical step.
Step 1: Preliminary Review — Provincial Film Authority Screening
Once the film is finished, the production company must submit a preliminary review application to the provincial radio, film, and television administration where the company is registered. This is the most critical first step toward securing a theatrical release permit.
Required Materials
- Review Copy — HDCAM tape or DCP (Digital Cinema Package) master, compliant with SARFT technical specifications
- Domestic Film Review Application Form — Stamped with the production company's official seal, in duplicate
- Film Production Personnel Information Form — Registration of all key creative personnel
- Film Title Approval Letter — Official documentation confirming the approved title (if using an English title, include a usage justification)
- Final Shooting Script — Must match the final cut of the film
- Original Production Permit — All permits obtained during production
- Production Company Business License Copy — Stamped with the official seal
- Overseas Contracts (for co-productions) — Contracts for imported scripts or overseas key creative personnel
LI TRUST Tip: The DCP master is the most technically critical element in the preliminary review. We have produced review-approved DCP masters for over 2,000 films and are familiar with the technical acceptance standards of provincial film bureaus. We offer a "one-stop review-grade DCP mastering" service.
Step 2: Obtaining the Dragon Stamp — Applying for the Theatrical Release Permit
After passing the preliminary review, you need to create a final exhibition version and apply for the theatrical release permit (commonly known as the "dragon stamp") from the China Film Administration. This is a mandatory credential for any film to be legally released in theaters.
Materials Required for Obtaining the Film Release Certificate
- Film File — MP4 or MOV format on a USB drive (H.264 encoding, 3–8 GB), for archival purposes
- Original Film Censorship Decision Letter — Issued by the provincial broadcasting authority after initial review approval
- Original Film Censorship Feedback Form — Includes review committee revision notes and implementation status
- Revision Implementation Statement — Required if modifications were requested during initial review; must detail how each was addressed
USB Drive Technical Specifications
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- Encoding: H.264
- File Size: 3–8 GB
- Must include Chinese subtitles
- Must begin with the film release certificate animation
Estimated Timeline
- Initial Review: 30 business days from submission
- Certificate Production: 3–5 business days
- Resubmission After Revisions: Additional time required
- Co-production reviews take longer
LI TRUST Tip: We can convert your DCP master into a compliant MP4/MOV archival file — ensuring encoding specs, embedded subtitles, and file size all meet requirements. One pass, no rework needed.
Step 3: Final Review — Technical Review by the China Film Administration
Once the release permit is obtained, the film must undergo a final technical review, submitting the official screening master and related promotional materials. This is the last technical quality checkpoint before theatrical release.
Materials Required for Final Review
- DCP Review Master — A compliant digital cinema package (2K/4K) that passes conformance testing
- DVD Discs × 3 — Standard DVD format for archival storage
⚠️ Important: Starting in 2024, the China Film Administration requires all DCP review masters to pass the "Digital Film Review Master Compliance Detection Software" test, with the test report included on the hard drive. LI TRUST fully supports this verification process. See the Complete DCP Compliance Checklist for details.
Special Film Types — Key Considerations
Co-Productions (China-Foreign)
Additional documents required: the co-production agreement, resumes of overseas key creatives, proof of the foreign production company's qualifications, and a notarized translated commitment letter from the foreign party. Review timelines are typically 15–30 business days longer than domestic films.
Imported Films
Must be submitted separately to the Import/Export department of the China Film Administration. In addition to standard review materials, you'll need the copyright contract, tax payment certificate, and a Chinese dubbing or subtitling plan. We recommend working with a service provider experienced in imported film localization.
Film Prints
For films shot on 35mm, the initial review requires a standard answer print; the final review requires both the film master and a digital DCP. LI TRUST offers 2K/4K film scanning and digital restoration services.
Web Films / Short Films
The review process for online-exclusive films is essentially the same as for theatrical releases, though technical specifications may be relaxed (DCP format is not mandatory). We still recommend producing to DCP standards to keep the option open for future theatrical distribution.
FAQ
Is the DCP for censorship the same as the theatrical DCP?
Not exactly. Censorship DCPs are usually unencrypted for easy playback by review boards, while theatrical DCPs require KDM encryption and key distribution. LI TRUST can produce both versions in one delivery.
What if my DCP fails compliance testing?
Common reasons include encoding parameters not meeting SMPTE standards, incorrect audio channel configuration, and subtitle format errors. LI TRUST performs a full pre-check before packaging to ensure first-pass approval.
How long does the censorship process typically take?
Provincial review usually takes 30 business days, Dragon Seal (film registration) about 3–5 business days, and final technical review around 10–15 business days. We recommend reserving at least 3 months for the entire process.
Can the festival version differ from the censorship version?
Yes. A Festival DCP can be produced and screened before the censorship version, but the final theatrical release must pass the National Film Administration's review. We can manage multiple DCP versions for you.
What censorship-related services does LI TRUST offer?
We provide: censorship-grade DCP mastering, DCP compliance testing, MP4/MOV transcoding, DVD authoring, M&E track creation, multilingual subtitle translation and embedding, film scanning and digitization, and multi-version management (censorship/theatrical/festival).
For professional censorship DCP services, contact us at [email protected]. LI TRUST has completed censorship-grade DCP mastering for 2000+ films with a 100% approval rate.