FILMMAKERS
SUBMISSIONS 

Yes! Here are the key dates for the 2026 Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF):

• February 1, 2026: Opening Date – Submissions officially open.

• March 13, 2026: Early Deadline – Submit early

• April 30, 2026: Regular Deadline – Standard submission deadline.

• May 31, 2026: Late Deadline – Final chance to submit your film.

• July 31, 2026: Notification Date – Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status.

• September 17 –25, 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 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 2026. The notification deadline is July 31, 2026, 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 August 9, 2026.

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 August 9, 2026! Please ensure all files are uploaded by the specified date to guarantee your film’s inclusion in the festival lineup. Stay tuned for updates.

2026 Film Submissions Dates:

Opens February 1, 2025 and Closes May 31, 2026 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.

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

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.