WowStoryTV

Getting your film ready for streaming: a checklist for independent filmmakers

For filmmakers · October 27, 2026 · 3 min read · By WowStoryTV Editorial

Finishing a film is a huge achievement. Getting it onto a streaming platform is the next step, and it goes much faster if you prepare the right materials in advance. This checklist covers what platforms, including WowStoryTV, typically ask for, and some common mistakes to avoid.

1. The film itself

  • A high-quality master. Deliver the best version you have, usually a high-bitrate HD or 4K file, rather than a compressed screener. The platform makes its own streaming versions from it.
  • Clean picture and sound. Watch the full file from start to finish and check for glitches, dropped frames, out-of-sync audio and any leftover watermarks or burned-in timecode.
  • Final credits. Make sure the credits are complete and spelled correctly, including music credits.
  • For series: deliver each episode as a separate, consistently named file, with season and episode numbers clearly marked.

2. Trailer

A trailer is often the first thing a viewer sees, and it can decide whether they press play. Aim for one to two and a half minutes, open with your strongest image, and leave out spoilers you'll regret. Deliver it as a video file rather than a link to a video-sharing site.

3. Artwork

  • Portrait poster in a 2:3 ratio (for example 1000×1500 pixels or larger), used in catalogue rows.
  • Landscape banner in a 16:9 ratio (for example 1920×1080), used for featured spots and title pages.
  • Keep the title readable at small sizes, and keep important text away from the edges, where it may be cropped.
  • Have versions without text ready too; platforms sometimes add their own.

4. Metadata

Metadata is the information that helps viewers find and choose your film:

  • Title, plus the original-language title if it's different
  • A short synopsis (one or two sentences) and a longer one (a paragraph)
  • Genres, year, running time and original language
  • Main cast and their roles, director and producers
  • Content rating or advisories (violence, language and so on)

Write the synopsis for viewers, not festival programmers: who is the story about, what do they want, and what stands in their way?

5. Subtitles and captions

Subtitles widen your audience enormously. Deliver them as timed-text files, such as SRT or WebVTT, rather than burned into the picture, so viewers can switch them on and off and choose a language. If your film mixes languages, make sure every line that needs translating is subtitled.

6. Rights and paperwork

This is where many independent films get held up. Before you submit, make sure you can show:

  • Chain of title: documents showing that you own or control the rights to the film, including the script and any material it's based on.
  • Music clearances for every song and score cue, covering streaming in the territories you're licensing.
  • Releases from your cast, and permissions for locations and any recognisable artwork or brands.
  • Existing deals: any exclusive licences you've already granted to other platforms or territories.

7. Decide how you want it offered

Think about where and how you want your film watched: which countries, for how long, and on which models. On WowStoryTV you choose whether a title is available to rent, in the Plus or VIP plans, or a combination, for the territories and licence period you agree with us.

Working with WowStoryTV

Rights holders who work with WowStoryTV use the Rights Holder Portal to submit movies and series, with posters, trailers, cast, seasons and episodes, and then follow each title's views, royalties and payments. To start a conversation about licensing your work, read For filmmakers or email info@wowstorytv.ca.