We kindly ask all invited film representatives to review the technical requirements and delivery deadline for screenings at FILM FESTIVAL COLOGNE 2025, including how and when to submit your film in DCP (Digital Cinema Package) format.
Deadline
The delivery deadline for the DCP, KDMs, and subtitles is September 8th, 2025.
To ensure that the DCPs, their corresponding KDMs, and subtitles function correctly, we need to test all materials before the start of the festival. We will test all DCP materials on September 10th.
Technical Requirements
Please note that the only accepted format for cinema screenings is DCP. We cannot accept any other formats or codecs (e.g., H.264, ProRes, MP4).
Technical Specs:
Aspect ratio: DCI Flat or DCI Scope
Frame rates: 24fps, 25fps
Resolution: FHD, 2K, 4K*
Sound: 5.1 or Stereo
*Not all potential screening rooms support 4K.
Subtitles
Subtitles must either be burnt into the image or delivered as DCI-standard subtitle files (Version File) along with the DCP. Please note that .srt files are not accepted.
- Films in any language other than Standard German or English must include German or English subtitles.
- Films in German are ideally subtitled in English.
- Films in English are ideally subtitled in German.
- We screen films with only one subtitle.
Delivery
You can deliver the DCP material including KDMs/DKDMs using one of the three methods listed below. Our priority is from top to bottom:
- Server Transfer: Directly upload the DCP material to our cinema partners servers using digital cinema delivery platforms listed below.
► For Screenings at Filmhaus Kino Köln: Use Gofilex.
► For screenings at Filmpalast Köln: Use either SHARC or Gofilex.
Please download server certificates via these links: Filmpalast and Filmhaus. - Hard Drive: Send a hard drive by post to FILM FESTIVAL COLOGNE address listed at the end of the page. The hard drive must be formatted as NTFS. Both, SSD and CRU hard drives are accepted. Please always provide a USB Type 3.0 cable, or, in the case of a USB Type-C drive, include an adapter to USB Type 3.0. You also need to provide us with all DCP information and a return address attached as a note to the hard drive.
- Download Link: If no other delivery method is possible, you may share the DCP with us via a download link using file-sharing services like Aspera, Filemail, etc. To meet the delivery deadline, please note that file downloads require at least two full working days on our end.
KDMs
In general, we prefer to receive unlocked DCPs. However, if the DCP is locked, please send the corresponding KDM — along with its availability date and time — to the email addresses listed below. This applies to both test screening and actual festival screenings.
KDMs for test screening must be valid on the scheduled test day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. KDMs for festival screenings should be valid for the entire duration of the festival (9-16 October).
KDM Delivery Contacts:
For Screenings at Filmpalast:
To: kdm.koeln@cineplex.de
CC: Media.Haqshenas@filmfestival.cologne
For Screenings at Filmhaus:
To: theaterleitung@filmhaus-koeln.de
CC: Media.Haqshenas@filmfestival.cologne
Contact
Media Haqshenas
Media.Haqshenas@filmfestival.cologne
+4915166182912
FILM FESTIVAL COLOGNE
Machabäerstraße 5
50668 Köln
Tel: +49 221 78878510
