Lights, Camera, IMDb! A Comprehensive Guide to Adding Your Film to the Internet Movie Database

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating a film, short, or even a web series. Congratulations! The next crucial step is to ensure it has a presence on the world’s largest and most comprehensive movie database: IMDb. Adding your film to IMDb not only gives it legitimacy and visibility but also allows potential viewers, distributors, and collaborators to find and learn about your work. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step by step, ensuring your film gets the recognition it deserves.

Why Add Your Film to IMDb?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why adding your film to IMDb is so important:

* **Visibility:** IMDb is the go-to resource for anyone looking for information about movies, TV shows, and the people who make them. Having your film listed significantly increases its chances of being discovered by a wider audience.
* **Credibility:** An IMDb listing lends credibility to your project. It shows that your film is a real, completed work and not just an idea.
* **Networking:** IMDb acts as a central hub for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. Your film’s listing can help you connect with potential collaborators and investors.
* **Promotion:** You can include links to your website, trailer, and social media pages on your IMDb page, driving traffic and engagement.
* **Tracking:** IMDb provides a platform for tracking your film’s progress, including reviews, ratings, and box office information (if applicable).
* **Awards Eligibility:** Many film festivals and awards organizations require films to be listed on IMDb for eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements: What Qualifies for an IMDb Listing?

IMDb has specific criteria for what qualifies for a listing. Generally, your project must be:

* **A Standalone Work:** It cannot be part of a larger collection or compilation (unless that compilation is also independently listed).
* **Publicly Available (or Soon To Be):** The project must have been released to the public in some form, whether through theatrical release, streaming platforms, film festivals, or DVD/Blu-ray.
* **Of a Reasonable Length:** While there’s no strict minimum runtime, very short films (e.g., under 5 minutes) may be subject to closer scrutiny. For theatrical features, a runtime of over 40 minutes is generally expected. Shorts usually have durations below this mark.
* **Credited Personnel:** The project must have credits for key personnel, including directors, writers, and actors.

**Important Note:** If your project is still in pre-production or development, it’s generally not eligible for an IMDb listing. Wait until you have completed filming and are nearing release.

Step-by-Step Guide: Adding Your Film to IMDb

Now, let’s get down to the practical steps involved in adding your film to IMDb. Be prepared to be patient, as the process can take some time, and accuracy is paramount to avoid delays or rejections.

**1. Create an IMDb Account (if you don’t already have one):**

* Go to the IMDb website: www.imdb.com
* Click on “Sign In” at the top right corner of the page.
* If you don’t have an account, click on “Create a New Account.”
* Fill in the required information (name, email address, password) and click “Create Your IMDb Account.”
* Verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to your inbox.

**2. Subscribe to IMDbPro:**

* While it’s possible to add a basic listing for free, a paid IMDbPro subscription offers significant advantages, including:
* **Faster Approval:** IMDbPro subscribers typically have their submissions reviewed and approved more quickly.
* **Enhanced Listing Options:** You can add more detailed information to your listing, including photos, trailers, contact details, and more.
* **Profile Page Enhancements:** IMDbPro allows you to create a more comprehensive and professional profile page.
* **Contact Information:** You can add your contact details for potential collaborators and industry professionals.
* To subscribe to IMDbPro:
* Log in to your IMDb account.
* Click on “IMDbPro” at the top of the page.
* Choose a subscription plan that suits your needs and follow the prompts to complete the payment process.

**3. Access the Submission Form:**

* Once you have an IMDbPro account, navigate to the “Add Title” section.
* The easiest way to find it is to type “Add Title” in the IMDb search bar and click on the corresponding result.
* Alternatively, you can often find a link to “Add Title” in the IMDbPro section of the site, typically within your account settings or dashboard. The exact location can vary depending on the current website layout, so using the search bar is recommended.

**4. Select the Correct Title Type:**

* On the “Add Title” page, you’ll be presented with a list of title types. Choose the one that best describes your project. Common options include:
* **Feature Film:** For movies typically longer than 40 minutes released theatrically or on streaming platforms.
* **Short Film:** For movies with a runtime shorter than 40 minutes.
* **TV Movie:** For movies made for television.
* **TV Series:** For ongoing television shows with multiple episodes.
* **TV Mini-Series:** For television shows with a limited number of episodes (usually self-contained storylines).
* **Video Game:** For video games.
* **Video:** This is for smaller projects or specific video releases like music videos, educational videos, or training videos.

**5. Fill Out the Title Submission Form:**

* This is the most crucial step. Accuracy and completeness are essential. Here’s a breakdown of the key fields you’ll need to fill out:

* **Title:** Enter the official title of your film. Ensure it matches the title as it appears on the film itself (opening credits, end credits, marketing materials).
* **Original Title (if applicable):** If your film has an original title in a different language, enter it here.
* **Year:** Enter the year your film was released to the public (premiere at a film festival, theatrical release, streaming release, DVD/Blu-ray release). If the film is not yet released, you will not be able to add it. You can only add released films.
* **Runtime:** Enter the film’s exact runtime in minutes. Be precise, as discrepancies can lead to rejection. Make sure the runtime corresponds to the final version of the movie, not to any initial cut.
* **Country:** Select the country where the film was primarily produced.
* **Language:** Select the language(s) spoken in the film.
* **Genre:** Choose the genre(s) that best describe your film. You can select multiple genres. Common genres include Action, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Documentary, and Animation. Choose the genres that are most accurate for your film.
* **Plot Outline:** Provide a brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the film’s plot. Avoid spoilers.
* **Tagline (optional):** Enter the film’s tagline, if it has one.
* **Production Notes (optional):** Add any relevant production notes, such as information about the filming locations, special effects, or behind-the-scenes stories.
* **Company Credits:** Here, you will add the production companies, distribution companies and special effects companies associated with your film. It is very important to add the correct company name, or else it can lead to rejection. If you have several production companies, add all of them.
* **Cast and Crew:** This is where you’ll add the names of the actors, directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, composers, and other key personnel involved in the film. Add as many people as possible, especially those who are already listed on IMDb. For each person, specify their role (e.g., Actor, Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer). If the cast or crew are not already listed on IMDb, you can add them. It will take a bit of time to have these new profiles accepted.
* **Certifications:** Add any MPA ratings such as PG-13, R, PG or TV ratings from different regions of the world such as G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. This information should match any on-screen certifications shown in the film, or the physical case and marketing materials.
* **Keywords:** Provide relevant keywords that describe your film. This will help users find your film when searching on IMDb. Examples: independent film, coming-of-age, science fiction, romance, thriller, based on a true story.
* **Filming Locations:** Add the specific locations where your film was shot.
* **Color Info:** State if the film is in color or black and white.
* **Aspect Ratio:** Add the aspect ratio of the film, for example: 1.85:1, 2.39:1.
* **Sound Mix:** Specify the sound mix used in the film. Examples: Mono, Stereo, Dolby Digital.
* **Budget:** Specify the approximate budget of the film in USD.
* **Box Office Gross (if applicable):** Enter the worldwide box office gross, if the movie was theatrically released.
* **URL:** Add the URL of your official movie website. You can also add links to trailers, Facebook pages, etc.

**Important Tips for Filling Out the Form:**

* **Be Accurate:** Double-check all information for accuracy. Typos and incorrect data can lead to delays or rejection.
* **Be Consistent:** Ensure the information you provide is consistent with the film itself (credits, opening titles, marketing materials).
* **Use Proper Case:** Use proper capitalization for titles and names (e.g., “The Shawshank Redemption,” not “the shawshank redemption”).
* **Provide Supporting Evidence:** If possible, provide links to external sources that verify the information you’re providing (e.g., official website, film festival listings, press releases).
* **Use the Correct Category:** Make sure to choose the category which matches the work you are creating, and add correct keywords.

**6. Submit Your Information:**

* Once you’ve completed the form, carefully review all the information you’ve entered.
* Click the “Check these updates” button to review your submission.
* If everything looks correct, click the “Submit” button.
* You may be asked to pay a submission fee if you don’t have an IMDbPro account. However, it is generally accepted that IMDbPro accounts speed up the process of approving a new submission.

**7. Track the Status of Your Submission:**

* After submitting your information, you can track the status of your submission in your IMDbPro account.
* IMDb editors will review your submission to ensure it meets their guidelines.
* The review process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the volume of submissions they’re processing.
* Be patient and avoid submitting the same information multiple times, as this can delay the process.

**8. Addressing Rejections:**

* If your submission is rejected, IMDb will provide a reason for the rejection.
* Carefully review the reason and make the necessary corrections or provide additional information to address the issue.
* You can then resubmit your information.
* Common reasons for rejection include:
* Incomplete or inaccurate information.
* The film doesn’t meet IMDb’s eligibility criteria.
* Lack of supporting evidence.
* Duplicate submissions.

Adding or Correcting Existing Information

Even after your title is listed on IMDb, you might need to add or correct information. Here’s how:

* **Locate the Title:** Search for your film on IMDb.
* **Edit Page:** On the film’s page, look for the “Edit Page” button (usually located at the bottom). You must be logged in to see this button.
* **Choose Category:** Select the category of information you want to add or correct (e.g., Title, Cast, Crew, Plot Summary).
* **Make Changes:** Enter the new or corrected information.
* **Provide Explanation:** In the “Explanation” field, briefly explain why you’re making the changes. This helps IMDb editors understand your request.
* **Submit Changes:** Click the “Submit” button.

Tips for Maximizing Your IMDb Presence

Once your film is listed on IMDb, here are some tips to make the most of it:

* **Complete Your IMDbPro Profile:** If you have an IMDbPro account, fill out your profile completely. Add a professional headshot, a bio, contact information, and links to your website and social media pages.
* **Encourage Ratings and Reviews:** Encourage viewers to rate and review your film on IMDb. Positive reviews can significantly boost your film’s visibility and credibility.
* **Keep Your Information Up-to-Date:** Regularly check your film’s IMDb page to ensure all the information is accurate and up-to-date. Add new cast and crew members, update the plot summary, and add any awards or accolades your film receives.
* **Promote Your IMDb Page:** Share the link to your film’s IMDb page on your website, social media, and other marketing materials.
* **Engage with Fans:** Respond to comments and questions on your film’s IMDb page to engage with fans and build a community around your film.
* **Add Awards:** Once your movie wins an award, you can add this information to your film’s IMDb page. To do this, go to “Edit Page,” and choose the category called “Awards.” Adding award information will improve the appeal of your film.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

* **Submitting Incomplete Information:** Make sure you provide all the necessary information, including cast and crew credits, plot summary, and runtime.
* **Submitting Inaccurate Information:** Double-check all the information you’re submitting for accuracy. Errors can lead to delays or rejection.
* **Submitting Before Release:** Wait until your film has been released to the public before submitting it to IMDb.
* **Not Having Rights:** You need to have the right to add a title to IMDb. Copyright violations are strictly forbidden.
* **Ignoring Rejection Reasons:** If your submission is rejected, carefully review the reasons and address the issues before resubmitting.
* **Using Promotional Language:** Avoid using overly promotional language in your film’s plot summary or other descriptions. Be objective and factual.

The Future of IMDb and Filmmaking

IMDb continues to evolve, adapting to the changing landscape of filmmaking and distribution. The platform is increasingly integrated with other online resources, such as streaming services and social media, making it an even more valuable tool for filmmakers.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your film has a strong presence on IMDb and take advantage of the many benefits the platform offers. Good luck, and may your film receive the recognition it deserves!

Final Thoughts

Adding your film to IMDb is an important step in the filmmaking process. While it may seem daunting at first, following this guide will help you navigate the process smoothly and effectively. By providing accurate information, promoting your IMDb page, and engaging with fans, you can maximize your film’s visibility and reach a wider audience. Remember that persistence is key, so don’t be discouraged if your initial submission is rejected. Simply address the issues and resubmit.

And always double check your work before submitting! Good luck!