Film Legal Delivery Checklist
The complete documentation and technical elements distributors, sales agents, and business affairs departments require before accepting your film.
Legal Documentation Checklist
Before your film reaches a distributor's delivery desk, compile every document in this section. A single missing item can trigger rejection and delay your financial closing.
Chain of Title Documents
Documentation Required:
- Option Agreement - Between producer and source material owner (if based on pre-existing work)
- Purchase Agreement - Proof of acquisition of underlying rights
- Assignment of Rights - From writer/creator to production company
- Quitclaim Deeds - Signed by all contributors relinquishing future claims
- Work-for-Hire Agreements - For all writers, composers, and key creatives
- Certificate of Authorship - Establishing film creator as copyright holder
- Copyright Assignment Chain - Complete lineage from original creator through final production company
Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance Package
Required Components:
- E&O Application - Completed and submitted 8 - 12 weeks before delivery deadline
- Title Opinion Letter - Attorney-reviewed confirmation of rights ownership
- Script Clearance Report - Detailed analysis of any similarities to existing works
- Film Clearance Report - Verification that all visual/audio elements cleared
- Chain of Title Opinion - Attorney certification of unbroken rights lineage
- Policy Certificate - Final insurance document with full coverage limits and terms
Music & Clip Clearances
All Clearances Must Be Obtained:
- Synchronization Licenses - For musical compositions (covers right to sync music to film)
- Master Use Licenses - For original sound recordings (covers use of specific recordings)
- Mechanical Licenses - Required only if manufacturing physical CDs or similar media
- Music Cue Sheet - Complete inventory of all music with timing, writers, publishers, and performance rights organizations
- Clip Licenses - For any archival footage, news footage, or previously published material
- Stock Footage Licenses - For any visual elements from third-party libraries
- Public Domain Documentation - If claiming public domain status, provide copyright research memo
Credits & Guild Documentation
Guild & Union Approvals:
- SAG-AFTRA Final Cast List - Completed by SAG-AFTRA signatory, verified against contracts
- DGA Delivery Letter - Director's Guild notice of intent to monetize (required for union projects)
- WGA Notice of Tentative Credits - Writers Guild official credits determination
- Paid Ad Memorandum - Documentation of paid advertisements/credits obligations
- Credit Statement - Final on-screen credits exactly as delivered
- Billing Block - Studio/company logos and credit order as approved by rights holders
Copyright Registration
U.S. Copyright Office Documentation:
- Screenplay Registration - Original script registered with U.S. Copyright Office
- Completed Film Registration - Motion picture registered in your name as claimant
- Certificate of Registration - Official government document proving registration date and copyright ownership
Cast & Crew Documentation
Individual Agreements & Releases:
- Cast Agreements - Signed contracts with all actors (SAG-AFTRA or non-union)
- Crew Deal Memos - Written agreements with department heads and key crew
- Appearance & Publicity Releases - For anyone appearing on camera (including background/extras)
- Name & Likeness Approvals - Explicit permission to use cast member's image and voice
- Minor Releases - Required for any performer under 18 (parent/guardian signature mandatory)
Ancillary Legal & Compliance
Platform & Standards Compliance:
- MPAA/MPA Rating Certificate - If pursuing theatrical or broad distribution rating
- Closed Caption Compliance - ADA-compliant captions for all dialogue and relevant sound
- Accessibility Compliance Documentation - Audio description tracks and descriptive video service (DVS) if applicable
Technical Delivery Checklist
Legal documentation alone is insufficient. Distributors also require masters and technical elements in precise formats. A single misconfigured file can trigger rejection.
Feature Masters
Primary Delivery Formats (choose per distributor requirements):
- IMF Package - Interoperable Master Format (preferred by Netflix, Amazon, many platforms)
- DCP - Digital Cinema Package in 2K or 4K (theatrical standard)
- ProRes 422 HQ - For broadcast and streaming; 4K and HD variants
- ProRes RAW - If original master was RAW and distributor requires archival quality
- HDR10 Deliverables - High Dynamic Range version with appropriate color space
- Dolby Vision Master - If applicable and distributor supports (premium streaming platforms)
Audio Elements & Stems
Audio Requirements:
- 5.1 Surround Mix - Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 (theatrical and streaming)
- Stereo Mix - 2.0 stereo fallback if 5.1 unavailable
- M&E Stems - Music and Effects without dialogue (for international versioning)
- Audio Description Track - Narrated description of visual action for accessibility
Textless & International Elements
Required Variations:
- Textless Main Titles - Version with all opening graphics removed
- Textless End Credits - Closing sequence without credit overlays
- Textless Backgrounds - Any scenes with text/logos requiring removal for international territories
- Subtitle Files - SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and multiple language options
- Dubbed Versions - If delivering to non-English territories (Spanish, Mandarin, etc.)
Metadata & Supporting Materials
Required Data & Documentation:
- EIDR Registration - Entertainment Identifier Registry unique identifier for film
- Synopsis - 200-word description for distributor's systems
- Cast & Crew Data - Names, roles, IMDb IDs for all principals
- Key Art - Poster images in multiple formats (1-sheet, DCP, 2K, 4K variants)
- Still Photography - 10 - 20 production stills for marketing
- Trailer - 2-minute promotional edit if available
Quality Control (QC) Reports
Verification Required:
- Technical QC Report - Frame rate, color space, aspect ratio, audio levels all verified
- Compliance QC Report - Audio/video sync, no dropout, proper loudness (per ATSC A/85 or EBU R128)
- Platform-Specific QC Sign-Off - Netflix, Amazon, Lionsgate each have their own QC checklist
Distributor-Specific Variations
No One-Size-Fits-All Delivery
Netflix does not accept what Amazon accepts. Lionsgate's technical requirements differ from A24's. Streaming platforms, theatrical distributors, and international sales agents each layer unique requirements on top of the IFTA (International Film & Television Alliance) delivery standards outlined above.
Example variations: Netflix requires specific IMF formatting and metadata schema. Amazon accepts IMF but also allows ProRes 4K alternatives. Lionsgate expects physical DCP packages alongside digital masters. International distributors often require different mixes, textless versions, and region-specific credits.
Once your distributor's delivery schedule arrives, cross-reference it against the comprehensive checklist above. Note where your distributor's specs diverge from this baseline. Those divergences become your execution priority.
When to Start Delivery Preparation
Delivery is not a task you tackle in the final two weeks. It's a parallel workstream that spans your entire production timeline.
Timeline Guidance
Pre-Production & During Production:
- Track chain of title from day one. Every contract, assignment, and agreement should be filed as executed. Don't try to reconstruct it in post-production.
- Secure cast & crew agreements during principal photography. Getting signatures after wrap is infinitely harder.
- Begin music clearance research early. Synchronization and master licenses can take 4 - 8 weeks to negotiate.
Post-Production:
- E&O Insurance application: Submit 8 - 12 weeks before your delivery deadline. Underwriters need time to review chain of title, script clearance, and all supporting documentation.
- Copyright registration: File 4 - 6 weeks before delivery. Registration can take 2 - 3 months; you need the certificate before final submission.
- Complete all music clearances before final mix. Don't lock your audio until every license is confirmed.
- Finalize guild documentation 2 weeks before delivery deadline. DGA, SAG-AFTRA, and WGA all require advance notice.
Need Help Working Through Your Delivery Checklist?
This checklist is comprehensive but daunting. Many producers find themselves uncertain about which items apply to their specific film, or which items their distributor requires. Let's talk.
Contact us or learn more about our delivery coordination service to inventory your current state and build an execution plan.