How to Upload Your Film for Non-Theatrical Screenings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to securely upload your Film for non-theatrical screenings by following this guide to unlock safe and efficient global distribution for non-theatrical screenings.

1. How It Works
2. Security & Technology
3. Film Upload & Storage
   1. Step-by-Step Upload Process
   2. File Requirements
   3. Approval Process
4. Security Measures
5. Proprietary Cinema Player
6. Immutable Screening Records
7. Summary of Security Protocols

1. How It Works

Uploading your Film is a secure and straightforward process. Gathr leverages cutting-edge security technology to ensure the safety of your content throughout its distribution lifecycle. This article outlines the steps and security measures involved in the Film upload process.

2. Security & Technology

Gathr's distribution system operates at the same security level as a DCP format but requires substantially less data. This allows for the efficient distribution of Films globally in a short timeframe. Key security features include:

1. Proxy Storage: Films are uploaded through Gathr with a dedicated proxy storage.

2. Non-Public Storage: After uploading, Films are immediately transferred to a secure storage system without public IP access or external query acceptance.

3. Encryption and Watermarking: Every time your Film is distributed for a non-theatrical screening, it is uniquely watermarked and encrypted, ensuring content safety and traceability.

4. Proprietary Player: The dedicated Cinema Player (provided through partner platform, Artinii) decrypts Films on-the-fly, preventing unprotected content from being stored on any device.

3. Film Upload & Storage

Step-by-Step Upload Process

1. Prepare Your File: Ensure your Film meets the required format (details below).

2. Navigate to Film Dashboard: First, access your Films tab on the left-side vertical nav menu, and find your desired Film. Select your chosen Film. Once you arrive to your Film Management dashboard, then navigate to the Non-Theatrical section. 

3. Upload the Film: Complete the steps on the Film Upload window, adding your Film file, additional audio, subtitle tracks. 

   1. Step 1 - Choose Your Film - You can search our database for your Film and select from the search results. 

      If your Film exists in our database, we’ll pull relevant metadata (Film title, release year, and running time) directly from our database, which you can then review on Step 2. 

      To add a new Film or a Film otherwise not listed in our database, simply enter your Film title manually in the lower field on Step 1.

   2. Step 2 - Review Your Film Details - Your Film metadata will appear on this step for your review. 

      For Films you selected from our database search results, the metadata has been taken directly from our database and cannot be edited. 

      To edit this data, return to Step 1 and enter your Film title manually. By doing so, Gathr will use your Film data from your Film Management dashboard in the Film Page tab. 

      For Films you added manually, Gathr uses the data you entered when onboarding your Film. To edit this data, close the Film Upload window, and navigate to the Film Page tab in your Film Management dashboard. 

   3. Step 3 - Upload Film File - It’s time to upload your Film file.  

      Drag and drop your Film file into the indicated area of the Film Upload window. See detailed file requirements below. 

      Note: Closing the upload window or browser window will interrupt your Film upload, and you’ll have to start over. 

   4. Step 4 - Upload additional audio tracks and subtitle files - Add other audio tracks and subtitle files beyond what is contained in your main Film file. 
   5. Step 5 - Confirmation - Your Film file(s) upload is complete. 

4. Automatic Transfer: Once the upload is complete, the Film is automatically moved to secure private storage, where it becomes inaccessible except for approved screenings via Gathr. 

 

 

Approval Process

Once you submit your Film files to Gathr, they undergo a manual approval process that can take up to five business days. 

During this process, we check for quality, audio synchronization, and licensing restrictions. 

When your Film is approved, you'll receive an email notification and the non-theatrical tab in your Film Management dashboard will be updated to reflect your approved status. 

4. Security Measures

Watermarking and Encryption

When you approve a new screening of your Film, the following takes place:

1. 1. A new, watermarked copy of the Film is created.

   2. At least two visible/invisible video and two audio watermarks are added.

   3. The Film is encrypted with a copy-specific private key.

After encryption, the Film is transferred back to a proxy storage, ready for download by the proprietary Cinema Player (provided through partner platform, Artinii.)

Post-download, the proxy-stored file is deleted.

5. Proprietary Cinema Player

1. On-the-Fly Decryption: Films are decrypted during playback, ensuring no unprotected content is stored on any device.

2. Offline Playback: The player allows offline viewing for up to 14 days after the last internet connection, as long as the Film has not been played beyond 60% completion. 

3. Tamper Monitoring: The system detects and blocks attempts to modify system date/time.

License Management: One approved viewing license is deducted when more than 60% of a Film is screened. License usage is automatically logged and monitored via Gathr servers.

If playback is not finished after surpassing 60% completion, the screening host must request a new screening. 

6. Immutable Screening Records

All screening data is stored on the blockchain via Mytitle.com, providing independent, tamper-proof reporting for easy verification of screenings.

7. Summary of Security Protocols

1. Films cannot be accessed after upload, except by approved screening hosts. 

2. Content is encrypted and only playable via the proprietary Cinema Player.

3. Watermarks ensure precise identification of leaks.

4. Every screening generates immutable records stored on the blockchain.

By following these steps and adhering to the specified formats, you can safely upload your Film while taking advantage of our robust security measures for global distribution.