Collect names, roles, contractual terms, and required acknowledgments before the final export. Credits should describe real contributions accurately. This checklist stays in your browser and is not submitted.

People and role accuracy Confirm the preferred spelling, capitalization, and professional name for every credited person.
Match roles to actual work and written agreements.
Confirm cast character names and order where applicable.
Resolve shared, additional, courtesy, and special credits before picture lock.

Required acknowledgments Review contracts, releases, licenses, union obligations, school requirements, grants, sponsors, and location agreements.
Confirm music, archival footage, artwork, software, stock, equipment, and facility credits when required.
Do not imply endorsement by a person or organization that did not provide it.

Technical review Check opening titles, end crawl order, timing, safe area, readability, and contrast.
Proofread on the actual delivery file, not only in the edit timeline.
Confirm captions and accessibility files identify speakers and relevant sound accurately.
Save an approved master credit list and version history.

Draft credit order and unresolved questions

Final approver and approval date

A credit is not a substitute for compensation or permission

Agree on pay, credit, footage access, and usage in writing where applicable. Do not add a person, company, school, or festival in a way that suggests sponsorship or endorsement without authorization. Next, prepare the Film Festival Submission Checklist.

Powered by Spotlight Drive. Return to the Filmmaker Toolkit.

Spotlight Drive

Practical career guidance, production tools, industry education, and creative opportunities for people building their way into film.

Explore

Start Your Career
Resources
Film Cities & States
Spotlight News
The Spotlight · Profiles
Spotted Ratings
Spotlight Drive Weekly
Explore All

Learn

Spotted Explains
Practice Lab
Glossary
Audition Center
Filmmaker Toolkit
Modeling Starter
Schools & Student Resources

Create

Spotlight Challenge
Submit Your Film for a Spotted Rating
Creator Fund — In Development

Spotted

Ask Spotted
Find Your Film Role
Career Next-Step Planner
Spotted Explains
Practice Lab
Meet Spotted

Company

About
Press & Media
Editorial Standards
AI Policy
Trust & Safety
Corrections
Contact

Legal

Privacy
Legal
Challenge Rules
Challenge Privacy