Submit a film

The rating system in the United States is a voluntary system. However, MPA members agree to submit all films for a rating that have a theatrical release. Independent studios and filmmakers are not required to have their films rated, but many choose to do so for theatrical runs because most theaters prefer to exhibit rated films.

Once CARA receives the completed submission, CARA will advise on the next earliest screening date. To ensure ample time for rating, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible, even before your film is finalized, although we can accommodate urgent release and delivery deadlines if needed.

Within 24 hours of our team screening your film, you will receive an email with the rating assigned to your film.

You should expect to receive the rating certificate within 48 hours after the rating is accepted by you.

Yes, if requested, we can issue a certificate number as soon as we receive and process your online application. However, the certificate number becomes official only after the film has been certified. The certificate number will not change, regardless of when you receive it.

If you have submitted your application and need the certificate number, please email your request to caraadmin@motionpictures.org.

Your film’s rating will be searchable on our website the first Tuesday evening (sometimes Wednesday morning) following your acceptance and our certification of the rating. At the same time, your film’s rating will also appear in our Weekly Bulletin, which is also published to our website.

Yes. For CARA to communicate and coordinate with the submitter during the entire application process, we need an email address(es) with proper credentials to correspond securely.

Yes, to protect proprietary information, a participant will need permission from the Administrator to access submission history and status.

As part of the online submission form, you will be asked to designate specific contacts who will be responsible for all communication with us regarding the rating process. Due to our strict confidentiality protocols, we can only discuss film and rating details with the individuals listed as designated contacts. These contacts must be identified at the time of submission; however, additional contacts may be added later with authorization from the original contact(s).

Yes, we will do our best to accommodate your request, as long as all required information and agreements have been submitted. We kindly request that you send us your payment (preferably a wire transfer as regular checks have an automatic 15 business day hold) and your screener as soon as possible; once received, we will schedule your film for an earlier screening date.

We accept the following formats (although digital screeners are preferable):

• Digital Screeners: PIX, Core (f/k/a 5th Kind), Indee, Moxion, CineSend, frame.io and DAX/Clear.
  • If you prefer a digital platform not listed above, please let us know and we will try to accommodate your preference.
• Hard Drive Screeners (DCPs): 3D or 2D
• Standard definition DVDs and Blu-Ray Disc; CARA cannot screen consumer Blu-Ray 3D Discs

Please make sure the DVD is copied as close to the Master as possible. Poor quality screeners will be rejected.

As part of the online submission form, you will be asked to designate specific contacts who will be responsible for all communication with us regarding the rating process. Due to our strict confidentiality protocols, we can only discuss film and rating details with the individuals listed as designated contacts. These contacts must be identified at the time of submission; however, additional contacts may be added later with authorization from the original contact(s).

• Security disclaimers are not mandatory but are permitted: they must be located at the top or bottom of the frame and no larger than a 10 pt. font and should be transparent. Please include no more than two security disclaimers. Any screener with a disclaimer running too far inside the frame and/or not transparent enough may be rejected.
• All screeners, regardless of format, which have a non-visible time code must start at 00:00:00.
• All screeners, regardless of format, must indicate a run time.
• Submission on DVD should include two screeners, in the event one is faulty.

We will accept screeners at any time. However, screeners should be delivered by no later than 9:00 AM on the day of your scheduled screening. To avoid delays in screening, we recommend sending your screener at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled screening so we can ensure your screener is working properly and meets all of our requirements for screening.

Digital screeners should be sent to our current distribution list – please reach out to caraaadmin@motionpictures.org for the screener distribution list based on your preferred digital screener platform.

Physical screeners should be delivered to:

Classification And Rating Administration
Attn: CARA/MPA
15301 Ventura Blvd., Building E
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Film/screeners may be delivered the day before or any time prior to the motion picture screening date between 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, and the film/screener must be picked up by 5:00 PM on the day of the screening unless other arrangements have been made. For security purposes, we issue a “pick-up” number the day of the screening to the Submitter. If you are sending a courier service to pick up the film/screener, please make sure they have the film title and the pick- up number; otherwise, the film/screener will not be released.

If you are submitting a screener for a film that is not 100% complete, please let us know in advance of your screening date. Please send us a list of unfinished items, their current completion percentage, and your target rating. We will then assess whether a screening is possible in its current state. Should the film be screened in an incomplete state, the rating board reserves the right to withhold the official rating and certification until previously unfinished elements have been resubmitted and screened. In this instance, you will receive a tentative rating, the final of which is subject to change contingent on the finished product. Please note that we reserve the right to abort a screening if we feel it is too unfinished to render even a tentative rating.

You can expect CARA to contact you within 24 – 48 hours after screening. The rating decision will be communicated to the rating contact(s) specified on the application.

Promotional materials can be sent to our Advertising Department (advertising@motionpictures.org) at any time. There is no fee associated with the review as it is included in the Submittal Fee.

Once a rating has been certified, all promotional materials must display the rating and rating reason. All promotional materials must display the rating and rating reason at least 14 days leading up to the film’s release date.

Your best estimate is sufficient. Please advise CARA of the accurate run time once known.

Yes. If you are looking for guidance during the film-making process, we have a Filmmaker Liaison who can guide you during any phase of the process (script writing, production, post-production…). Please reach out to caraadmin@motionpictures.org and we will put you in contact with our Filmmaker Liaison. Please note that working with our Filmmaker Liaison does not guarantee you will receive your targeted rating, as your film will still need to be screened by the rating board, who will determine the appropriate rating for your film.

If you are looking for guidance after your film has been screened and a rating has been delivered to you, the Senior Rater assigned to your film will provide guidance on how to attain your target rating.

The Senior Rater in charge of your film will walk you through your available options but in short, you have the following options:

• Edit the film and resubmit the entire film or applicable scenes (the Senior Rater will let you know what needs to be resubmitted); there is no additional fee to resubmit edits
• Appeal the rating; the appeals process is set out in detail beginning on Page 12 of our Rating Rules
• If you are not an MPA member releasing theatrically, you may withdraw your film from the rating process and release the film without a rating

Anyone may make a payment as long as an invoice number and the film title are referenced for accurate posting.

The invoice will become available on your dashboard (www.carafilmratings.com) shortly after your submission is approved. The invoice is located on the Review tab underneath the Summary section.

The payment is due 15 business days prior to the scheduled screening date.

Wire transfers/ACH payments and checks are accepted. Please note that there is a 15-business day hold on all checks. We recommend sending wire transfers/ACH payments for faster processing times.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

• Classification and Rating Administration (CARA)
• Motion Picture Association (MPA)

For a W-9 form, please send an email request to caraadmin@motionpictures.org.

CATEGORY A

FILMS WHICH MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• Submitter involved with the production or financing of the film in any way
• Submitter’s or distributor’s aggregate gross revenues for the production, financing, and/or distribution of motion pictures for the prior calendar or fiscal year are more than $5,000,000
• Film does not meet the criteria for Category B submission

CATEGORY B

FILMS WHICH MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• Submitter is NOT involved in any way whatsoever with the production or financing of the film
• Submitter’s aggregate gross revenues for the production, financing, or distribution of motion pictures for the prior calendar or fiscal year is less than $5,000,000
• The motion picture being distributed has a negative cost less than $15,000,000

CATEGORY C

FILMS WHICH MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• Films previously certified by CARA and being submitted for re-rating or re-screening prior to their exhibition or distribution
• Re-issued films originally released prior to November 1, 1968 which have not previously been rated
• Short films under 30 minutes