Digital Cinema Package (DCP)

Digital Cinema Packages for theatrical release in China are produced against the same DCI specification used worldwide, but the practical requirements of the world's largest cinema circuit. More than 80,000 screens across the PRC — shape how we build them. Wanda Cinemas (the Dalian Wanda Group flagship), CGV China, Bona Cineplex, Jinyi Cinemas, Hengdian Cinemas, and Lumière Pavilions between them operate the bulk of mainland multiplex screens, with UA Cinemas and Broadway Circuit handling the Hong Kong market and the independent and heritage houses handling arthouse and specialty releases.

Here is how this works in practice. Each keeps preferred ingest profiles covering audio channel mapping, subtitle delivery in simplified or traditional Chinese, and trailer-versus-feature CPL structure. Our DCP team produces SMPTE-compliant packages at Base FX Beijing, Beijing Film Group Post, and partner finishing houses, with Interop variants available where festival or legacy projectors need them, in 2K and 4K resolutions, 5.1, 7.1, or Dolby Atmos audio, and aspect-ratio variants assembled as supplemental packages to avoid duplicating the main feature payload.

For festival submissions to Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF — A-list FIAPF since 1993), Beijing International Film Festival, Pingyao IFF, FIRST IFF Xining, Hong Kong IFF, or international circuits, encryption is typically omitted in favour of playback simplicity. . While commercial theatrical releases are wrapped with professional KDM workflows scoped to specific projector certificates and exhibition windows. Every package is validated on a reference cinema server before delivery, confirming load behaviour, audio mapping, subtitle timing, and CPL integrity against the production's exhibition plan.

The picture on the ground is more specific. Turnaround for a standard feature DCP is one to three business days, with rush services available for festival deadlines or last-minute international screenings. Packages are archived against the production's preservation master at China Film Archive partner facilities so re-issues. For re-releases, anniversary screenings, or new territory deals — can be produced without re-mastering from scratch.