The Classification and Rating Administration (“CARA”) issues ratings for motion pictures exhibited and distributed commercially to the public in the United States, with the intent to provide parents information concerning the content of those motion pictures, to aid them in determining the suitability of individual motion pictures for viewing by their children. CARA will rate any motion picture at any time before or after it is exhibited or distributed in the United States.
Please click the button below to start the submission process or visit: https://www.carafilmratings.com for more information
Yes. In order 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.
The password should be 9 digits in length, with a minimum of 1 capital letter, 1 number and 1 character combination.
Yes, to protect proprietary information, a participant will need permission from the Administrator to access submission history and status.
Yes, we will do our best to accommodate your request, as long as all required information and agreements have been submitted.
If your film is completely finished, you can send in your screeners at any time. Please do NOT send in your screener if it is still a work-in-progress. The screeners should be delivered to:
Classification And Rating Administration
Attn: CARA/MPA
15301 Ventura Blvd., Building E
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Pickup and Drop Offs must be made at the Loading Dock E between 8:30AM – 5:00PM. Film/screeners may be delivered the day before or any time prior to the motion picture screening date between 8:30AM to 9:00AM, and the film/screener must be picked up by 5:00PM 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 your film is completely finished, you can send in your screeners at any time. Please do NOT send in your screener if it is still a work-in-progress.
Please make sure the DVD is copied as close to the Master as possible. Poor quality screeners will be rejected.
Security disclaimers must be located at the top or bottom of the frame and no larger than a 10 pt. font. Any screener with a disclaimer running too far inside the frame will be rejected.
You can expect CARA to contact you within 24 hours after screening. The rating decision will be communicated to the rating contact 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.
Your best estimate is sufficient. Please advise CARA of the accurate run time once known.
The rating system in the United States is a voluntary system.
Once CARA receives the completed submission, CARA will advise on the next earliest screening date.
You should expect to receive the ratings certificate within 48 hours after the rating is accepted.
Anyone may make a payment as long as an invoice number and the film title are referenced for accurate posting.
The payment is due 15 business days prior to the scheduled screening date.
Wire transfers/ACH payments and checks are accepted. Cashier's Check
For a W-9 form, please send an email request to caraadmin@motionpictures.org.
Below is the fee schedule based on the Categories mentioned above:
| Class | Negative Cost | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | > $75M | $27,000 |
| A-2 | $40M to $74.999M | $21,500 |
| A-3 | $15M to $39.999M | $16,000 |
| A-4 | $5M to $14.999M | $8,500 |
| A-5 | $500K to $4.999M | $5,250 |
| A-6 | < $500K | $3,150 |
| Class | Negative Cost | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 | $12M to $14.999M | $7,500 |
| B-2 | $8M to $11.999M | $5,300 |
| B-3 | $4M to $7.999M | $4,200 |
| B-4 | $1.5M to $3.999M | $3,150 |
| B-5 | $500K to $1.4999M | $2,800 |
| B-6 | < $500K | $2,600 |
| Class | Negative Cost | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| C-1 | Re-rate/Re-screen | $2,700 |
| C-2 | Re-issue | $2,700 |
| C-3 | Short Subject | $800 |
| C-4 | Re-Rate due to Obsolete Rating Symbol | N/C |
EIDR and ISAN are non-required fields located on the “Film Details” page of any submission relating to identification numbers for submitted intellectual property. More information can be found as part of the following links.
If you have additional questions not answered in our video tutorial and in this FAQ, please contact us:
