FAQs

Yes! Here are the key dates for the 2025 Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF): February 1, 2025: Opening Date – Submissions officially open. March 15, 2025: Early Deadline – Submit early April 30, 2025: Regular Deadline – Standard submission deadline. May 31, 2025: Late Deadline – Final chance to submit your film. July 31, 2025: Notification Date – Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status. September 18–26, 2025: Event Dates – Join us for a week of celebrating cinema and culture! Be sure to mark these dates and submit your film before the deadlines to secure your spot in the festival. For more details, visit GCUFF’s FilmFreeway Page

No, please do not submit works in progress or industrial/instructional works

Once you submit your film via the GCUFF13 FilmFreeway portal, it’s important to check your FilmFreeway account to ensure: Your submission meets all GCUFF requirements. You have provided all necessary information. Your film is marked as successfully submitted and under consideration. GCUFF will send you an email confirmation within one week of submission. This email will confirm receipt and, if necessary, request any additional details. Timely responses to these communications are essential, as delays may impact the inclusion of your film. Stay connected and check your email frequently to ensure a seamless submission process. If you have any concerns, please contact us directly at films@gcuff.org Start your submission here: GCUFF FilmFreeway Portal.

You will be notified by email regarding whether your film has been selected for exhibition at GCUFF 2025. The notification deadline is July 31, 2025, though this date is subject to change. We strive to notify filmmakers as early as possible, but please be patient as the selection process requires careful consideration. If you do not receive a selection or non-selection notice by the deadline, or if you have not been contacted about providing additional materials, please reach out to us at films@gcuff.org with any questions. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm—your stories matter, and we appreciate your submission!

Participants’ films - both short and feature - must be available for theatrical screenings as a DCP. For all films that will be participating in the potential online component of the festival, films must also be available as a .mp4 or another GCUFF-approved digital file. 35MM, BLU-RAY, AND DVD ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FORMATS FOR GCUFF EXHIBITION. DCP Format Specifications In terms of DCPs and what is required, please see below. The drive formatting is taken care of by Simple DCP, but if clients want to deliver directly to the venue, this is what we recommend to keep in DCI compliance: Video Acceptable Frame Rates: InterOp DCPs – 24 FPS only SMPTE DCPs – 24, 25 FPS All presentations must fit inside an acceptable container size For 2K FLAT content – 1920x1080, 1998x1080, 2048x1080 For 2K SCOPE content – 2048x858 For 4K FLAT content – 3840x2160, 3996x2160, 4096x2160 For 4K SCOPE content – 4096x1716 DCPs must be formatted to DCI XYZ’ color space Maximum bit-rate: 250Mbps No 3D, HFR, or High Bit Rate content please Audio 2.0 Stereo and 5.1 mixes only 24 bits – 48kHz Linear PCM audio Multichannel mixes must use standard SMPTE channel assignments (L/R/C/LFE/Ls/Rs) Matrixed stereo mixes (LtRt, Dolby E, etc.) will NOT be decoded to multichannel Subtitles All non-English DCPs must be accompanied by Open English subtitles (No Closed Subs/Captions) For DCPs without burned-in subtitles, please supply subtitles as Supplemental DCP with DCI compliant CineCanvas XML or PNG formatting Supplemental DCPs (VF) should be delivered on same drive as the Original Version (OV) All Subtitles should be rendered within title safe area to avoid clipping Drive Formatting All Drives should be formatted with and MBR Partition to Linux EXT2/3 with INODE SIZE: 128 bits Please test your DCP drive in a digital cinema server prior to submission! Naming Convention All DCPs must be labeled per DCI Naming Conventions - http://digitalcinemanamingconvention.isdcf.com Labeling must follow this convention for the XML tag ContentTitleText in your DCPs CPL file.

Congratulations on your selection! The selection letter will outline your next steps. One important step is converting your film to a Digital Cinema Package (DCP). Filmmakers or their delegates will also receive an upload invitation via email. When they accept the invitation, they will be asked to log in to the Creator Hub or create a new account and use this to upload their DCP. For more information on Eventive's security protocols, file requirements, and more, visit Eventive Filmmaker FAQ. Films converted to DCP are due by 08/10/2025. Image - Filmmaker Eventive Dashboard/Creator Hub Image- Welcome Hub/DCP Upload

A Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is a collection of digital files used to store and convey digital cinema audio, image, and data streams. It is the standard format for projecting films in theaters.

Filmmakers can contact Eventive via chat support and they can help them out! And yes, the system will recognize if you already uploaded directly with Eventive.

In terms of DCPs and what is required, please see below. The drive formatting is taken care of by Simple DCP, but if you are looking to deliver directly to the venue, this is what we recommend to keep in DCI compliance. All are due August 10, 2025.

The deadline for submitting your DCP is 8/15/2025! Please ensure all files are uploaded by the specified date to guarantee your film’s inclusion in the festival lineup. Stay tuned for updates. 2025 Film Submissions Submissions Open: February 1, 2025 We can’t wait to showcase your stories! The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) will begin accepting submissions for the 2025 festival starting February 1, 2025. For complete details, guidelines, and updates, visit GCUFF’s Film Freeway page.

Eventive is a comprehensive platform tailored for film festivals, offering tools for event management, ticketing, virtual screenings, and more. It’s a secure and efficient solution for handling film submissions, scheduling screenings, and engaging with audiences. Why is GCUFF using Eventive for filmmakers? 1. Ease of Use: Eventive features a user-friendly interface, simplifying the upload and management of your digital assets, including DCPs. 2. Security: The platform prioritizes secure storage and streaming to protect your film from unauthorized access or piracy. 3. Streamlined Process: Eventive integrates essential festival functions such as ticket sales, scheduling, and audience engagement, ensuring a seamless experience for filmmakers and organizers alike. 4. Virtual Screenings: Eventive enables virtual screenings, broadening the reach of your film to a global audience, even for those unable to attend in person. 5. Support: Eventive offers extensive resources and support to help filmmakers navigate the festival process with confidence. For more information, visit the Eventive Filmmaker FAQ here or contact us at films@gcuff.org. Eventive ensures a smooth and secure way to present your work to audiences worldwide.

Each film is granted ONE (1) filmmaker Pass. ONE (1) additional pass may be granted upon request. Tickets to the power hour breakfast are limited to ONE (1) filmmaker per film

DCP Questions: For any issues related to DCP, please contact Simple DCP. They can provide detailed information and assistance. You can reach them at info@simpledcp.com or call 213.375.8327. Eventive: For issues related to Eventive, click on the Eventive Filmmaker FAQ and select the chat button. You can access it here. GCUFF: For any other technical issues or questions, please contact us at films@gcuff.org.

DCP Format Specifications for In person and virtual screenings requirements are the same.

Films selected for the virtual festival will be streamed on our secure Eventive platform. This allows audiences to view your film during the festival dates.

Yes, filmmakers are encouraged to attend the in-person events. This is a great opportunity to network with other filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.

Yes, filmmakers to engage with our audience through Q&A sessions and panel discussions. These events are designed to provide a platform for you to discuss your work, share insights about your creative process, and network with fellow industry professionals. Specific details—including schedules, venues, and topics—will be provided in your selection letter and updated regularly on our website. In past festivals, these interactive sessions have been a highlight, offering enriching experiences for both filmmakers and attendees.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to films@gcuff.org. We are here to assist you and ensure your participation in the festival is as smooth as possible.

You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel or Apple Silicon based Macs running macOS 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari.

Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.

macOS 10.12 or later Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Important note regarding iCloud Private Relay: iCloud Private Relay is a security feature available on devices beginning with macOS Monterey (Version 12) that is not compatible with the Eventive media player. Accessing a screening with iCloud Private Relay enabled will present you with a georestrictions error. To access your screening, please be sure that iCloud Private Relay is turned off. On your Mac computer, you can turn off iCloud Private relay in your settings by navigating to: Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID. Select iCloud > Private Relay

Yes, you can watch content using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later. If Chromecasting, must have 3rd generation or later Chromecast stick. To Chromecast from a mobile Android device: Make sure your mobile phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Tap the "Cast" icon in the lower righthand corner of the player. If no icon appears, this means casting is not supported on your device. To Chromecast from computer: Open the content in the Google Chrome browser. Click the "Cast" icon in the lower righthand corner of the player. If no icon appears, this means casting is not supported on your device.

Yes, you can watch content using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later. Important note: Due to content protection restrictions, the Screen Mirroring feature cannot be used. Additionally, HDMI or other video dongles cannot be connected to your device. Instead, use AirPlay or our dedicated TV app to watch on your TV. Important note regarding iCloud Private Relay: iCloud Private Relay is a security feature available on devices beginning with iOS 15.4 that is not compatible with the Eventive media player. Accessing a screening with iCloud Private Relay enabled will present you with a geo restrictions error. To access your screening, please be sure that iCloud Private Relay is turned off. On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you can turn off iCloud Private relay in your settings by navigating to: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Private Relay

To view content in the highest available resolutions (including 1080p as well as 4K/UHD when available), ensure you are using one of the following browser/device combinations: Safari on macOS Edge on Windows Safari on iOS Chrome on Android Eventive TV app for Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV Other browsers beyond these will still offer HD resolution; however, the above combinations allow for the maximum levels of secure stream quality.

If you have an Apple TV, Chromecast (3rd gen or later), or a smart TV enabled with AirPlay or Chromecast, set your computer, mobile device or browser to “AirPlay” or “cast” to the TV device. Unlock the program on Eventive Virtual, then set your player window to full-screen using the icon at the lower right. See our detailed instructions for our dedicated Apple TV and Roku apps below. Chromecast will work on select Android devices, see instructions above. Chromecast on iOS devices are not compatible with the Eventive platform. Important note: Due to content protection restrictions, the Screen Mirroring feature on Smart TVs and other devices cannot be used. Many browsers built into Smart TVs and other devices will NOT allow protected content to play. You can also directly connect a laptop or computer using an HDMI cable by doing the following: Make sure your computer is close enough to your Television for the HDMI cable to reach between them safely. Connect one end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on the TV. Take note of the HDMI input number it is being connected to. Plug the other end of the cable into your laptop's HDMI out port Set the TV to the HDMI Input port that the computer is connected to using the source or display button on your TV remote. If your computer's display does not automatically appear on your television screen, you may need to have the computer manually detect the display. Windows: Right-click on the desktop > Display Settings > Click Detect > Click the "Multiple displays" drop-down box and select "Duplicate these displays") > Click Apply. Mac: Go to the Apple Menu > choose System Preferences > Choose the “Displays” panel > Hold down the “Option” key to show the “Detect Displays” button – note that it replaces the ‘Gather Windows’ button > Click on “Detect Displays” while holding down Option to use the function as intended.

Yes, you have complete access to the entire program during your watch window. Please note the following: By default, Real-Time Broadcasts are one time events and not available for replay after the fact. Event organizers may choose to make them available for replay. If you click the Enter Live Broadcast button and receive the message "The broadcast has ended," it is not available for replay.

We use adaptive bitrate streaming which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent, or if you have several wifi enabled devices connected simultaneously, you may experience problems during playback. If you’re on wifi, try moving closer to your router. You may also try connecting directly to your router via an ethernet cable.

Please confirm that you are logged in with the same email address or Facebook login you used to purchase your pass. You can login using the login link at the upper right corner of the screen, or if you are not logged in at all you’ll be prompted to login after clicking "Unlock Now."