Digital Cinema Package (DCP)

Here is how this works in practice. Digital Cinema Packages for theatrical release in Italy are produced against the same DCI specs used worldwide. But the practical needs of the domestic cinema circuit shape how we build them. UCI Cinemas, The Space, and Notorious Cinemas between them operate the largest share of multiplex screens, with the ANEC-affiliated independent and heritage cinema houses — many of them historic theatres dating back to the early twentieth century — handling arthouse and specialty releases. Each keeps preferred ingest profiles covering audio channel mapping, subtitle delivery, and trailer-versus-feature CPL structure.

Here is the short of it. Our DCP team produces SMPTE-compliant packages at Cinecittà DI and partner finishing houses, with Interop variants ready where festival or legacy projectors need them, in 2K and 4K resolutions, 5.1, 7.1, or Dolby Atmos audio, multiple subtitle languages, and aspect-ratio variants assembled as supplemental packages to avoid duplicating the main feature payload.

Here is the breakdown. For festival submissions to Venice, RomaFF, Torino Film Festival, or global 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. Turnaround for a standard feature DCP is one to three business days, with rush services ready for festival deadlines or last-minute global screenings.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Once delivered, packages are archived against the production's preservation master at Cineteca di Bologna or Istituto Luce-Cinecittà partner facilities so re-issues — for re-releases, anniversary screenings tied to David di Donatello recognition, or new territory deals — can be produced without re-mastering from scratch.