Add a Film to IMDb

The Internet Movie Database, or IMDb, is the web’s largest and most comprehensive resource for movie information, media, news and trivia. It is constantly being updated as new movies are released, and regularly accepts contributions of new titles from its enormous community of members. Whether you lent a hand in producing a new film that you’re submitting for approval or stumbled across a rare cinematic gem that doesn’t yet have a listing, adding new titles to IMDb is simple and straightforward. Just register an account and supply the necessary information and the title will be sent in for review.

Steps

Registering for an IMDb Account

  1. Access the IMDb homepage. From the main site, you have the option to browse titles, read movie-related news, watch recently released trailers and control your account activity all from one place. Account options can be found in the uppermost portion of the page.[1]
    • Enter the website’s URL (http://www.imdb.com) or run a quick search for “IMDB” and select the top result.
    • Before you can add new titles to the database, you’ll need to be officially registered and logged in as a member.
  2. Click the link that says “other sign in options.” You should be able to find the link in the upper right hand corner of the screen below the links to the various social media platforms. If you’re already a member, you can also use this link to sign in.
    • Signing in or registering with your Facebook account can save you time filling out forms. Your account will be created using the email you used to register for Facebook.
    • None of your activity on IMDb will be tracked or reported on other websites in any way without your express permission.
  3. Choose the option to create a new IMDb account. About halfway down the page you’ll see a large yellow button that reads “Create a New Account.” Selecting this link will take you to a new page where you can input your personal information to become a registered member.[2]
    • Make sure you don’t already have an existing IMDb account before you create a new one.
    • Registered members will also be able to take advantage of additional features like writing reviews, creating personalized watchlists and posting in discussions on the message board.
  4. Fill in your personal details and submit the form. You’ll be prompted to provide your full name, email address and a password of your choosing. Input your info, then click “Create Your IMDb Account.” After that, you’ll be able to submit new titles, add production and credit details, look over your contribution history and make use of other functions reserved for members.
    • You may be asked to confirm your registration before you can continue.
    • Choose the option to “stay logged in” so you won’t be forced to put in your information every time you visit the site.

Submitting New Titles for Consideration

  1. Run a quick search for the title you want to add. Use the search bar at the top of the homepage to scan for any existing titles or keywords related to the title you wish to add. It may be that the title has already been archived. If you find the title in the results, there’s no need to do anything further. Otherwise, you can proceed to fill out a new title submission form.[3]
    • Enter both the film’s international title and the title as it appears in the original language.[4]
    • If you were part of a film’s production and you want to submit a listing for the new title, task one member of the crew (ideally the director or producer) with handling the process. This will prevent overlapping submissions that may be rejected.
  2. Highlight the “News & Community” hub at the top of the page. This will pull up a dropdown menu containing a list of various options. Under the “Community” heading, click the “Contributor Zone” link. This will take you to a page that briefly explains submission guidelines, as well as the role of the community in adding to IMDb’s growing selection of titles.[5]
    • New members are advised to browse the articles in the Contributor Zone before attempting to add new entries to the database.
  3. Select the “How to Add a New Title” link. You should find the link, along with other useful informational resources, in the section entitled “Adding Data to IMDb.” Clicking it will redirect you to a separate form you can fill out with relevant details about the new title.[6]
    • Be sure to review the site’s submission criteria and Frequently Asked Questions page before adding a new title. Answers to any questions you may have can usually be found there.[7]
    • You’ll have to repeat this process every time you want to submit a new title.
  4. Complete the title information form. The form will ask you for the title of the film, the specific type of media, its current status (in development or already released), the year it was produced and your relation as a contributor. Provide as much precise detail as you can in order to make the listing a more authoritative resource.[6]
    • Record the title of the film in its original language, with the exact spelling and capitalization as it appears in the title screen of the opening credits.[6]
    • Only films that have received wide release or distribution are eligible for listings on IMDb. This doesn’t include things like home movies, student films or content produced for public access broadcasts.[8]

Confirming Your Submission

  1. Review the info you’ve provided carefully. Before you send in your submission, make sure all information is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Scan for spelling and capitalization mistakes and verify that you correctly entered other critical information, such as the date of release. Title pages should be as factual, thorough and up to date as possible.[9]
    • Listings containing errors may mislead readers.
    • If the information you provide for the new title isn’t accurate, your submission may be rejected outright.
  2. Click the “Check These Updates” button. Once you submit the new title, it will be sent to the IMDb’s title managers for review. Provided that the info you submitted meets the criteria outlined in the site’s submission guidelines, the new listing will typically be published within a few days.[10]
    • Anyone can submit new titles to IMDb, but they have to be approved by the website’s administrators before a listing is created.
  3. Wait for your new title submission to be approved. It may take as long as two weeks for the new listing to be uploaded to the database, so check back periodically to see its status. Approved listings will be accessible via the main website or through search results. Keep contributing new titles to help IMDb continue to grow as the internet’s leading resource for all things cinematic![11]
    • When your submission has been approved, you’ll receive confirmation in your account activity, as well as the email you registered with.
    • You’ll also receive notice of rejected submissions, which will be accompanied by a short explanation of why they were passed over.

Tips

  • IMDb’s extensive archive of listings currently contains over 4 million titles, about 400,000 of which are feature films.
  • Listings are updated continually, and can be added to, revised or deleted at any time.
  • Use IMDb’s title submission form to add information on other types of media like TV shows, video games and web series as well.
  • If you’re experiencing trouble navigating the site or have a question about submission guidelines that hasn’t already been answered in the FAQ, send an email to the site’s troubleshooting specialists.
  • Add independent titles that you worked on to the database to receive an official credit listing and see your work displayed to the world.
  • IMDb credits are highly regarded within the film industry and can even be given as credentials on an actor or filmmaker’s resume.

Warnings

  • Failure to adhere to IMDb's submission guidelines or community regulations may result in suspension of member privileges.
  • Be careful about submitting titles to IMDb if the films are copyrighted by a third party. Submitting the form for a new listing gives IMDb permission to freely exchange information about the title on the website.

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Sources and Citations

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