IMDb Credit Eligibility Top Frequently Asked Questions

This page includes answers to the most common feedback, complaints and frequently asked questions about which credits are eligible to be listed in the Internet Movie Database. Please read these notes carefully before contacting us: due to the volume of help requests we receive we can't respond to questions or complaints that are already addressed here.

Help desk requests about one of these issues will be deleted with no reply, sorry.

• I worked on a film/TV show. Can I be listed in the database?
  If you worked on a film, video, show, episode, or game that is already listed in the database and you received on-screen credit, you should be eligible to be listed in the database. If we list the title but your name or credit doesn't yet appear on its IMDb page, you are welcome to submit it for inclusion.

• What do you mean by "eligible"?
  As stated above, the first and most important thing is to have received a credit on the title. There are a few additional requirements -- we normally only list people who were credited in the original version of a title. For films, this means we'll only list people credited in the initial original theatrical release; for TV titles, it means people credited when the show first aired.

  In other words, we won't list individuals who worked and/or are only credited in the home video version, in the IMAX release, in the DVD deleted scenes, or in any other subsequent version. Also, we don't list credits for foreign language versions of a film (dubbing, dialogue editing, translations etc.), with the exception of the U.S. dub of non-English animation.

  Finally, you must have been credited as an individual person. If a company or team worked on a film (for example a visual effects company) and received an on-screen credit for its contribution, then an individual who worked as part of that company or team is not eligible to be listed in IMDb because he's already covered by the collective company credit. In other words, if company XYZ worked on a film production and is credited on the film, you are not eligible for a credit even if you were a XYZ employee at the time unless you received on-screen billing under your own name.

• I have worked on a film/show/episode that you don't list. What now?
  We can only add credits to titles that are already in the database. If the film or episode is not yet listed, you are welcome to submit it as a new entry and our editors, upon verification of its eligibility, will add it to the database. You can (and should) submit your credit on the show at the same time. A separate FAQ page for new title submissions can be found here.

• My credit should be there -- why doesn't it show?
  The vast majority of credits is submitted by users and/or people connected with the production of a title. If your credit isn't there, it probably means nobody submitted it yet. You are more than welcome to submit it yourself. You don't have to wait for the producers or the director of the film to send it: just find the title in the database, click on the "Update" button at the bottom of that page and follow the on-screen instructions.

• My credit used to be listed but now it's gone! Why?
  When a film is announced or in production and is added to the database, our editors will normally start accepting credits for it. These credits, as per the disclaimer on the page, are always subject to change and can be removed at any time. When the film is actually released (or about to be released) and credits are finalized by the production,our editors routinely compare our listing with the film's actual on-screen credits and delete any entries that can't be verified or don't match. If you used to be listed on a film and your credit has disappeared, it means our editors could not verify its accuracy during one of these routine checks.

• But I was in the film! Put it back!
  If you think your credit was removed by mistake, you're welcome to resubmit it. However, please note that our editors may not accept it unless you can positively verify that you did receive on-screen billing.

• I can prove that I worked on the film. Why won't you list my credit?
  Our aim is not to list everyone who worked on a production -- we try to list everyone who was credited on it. "Credited" means that your name appears in the film's main or end titles, i.e., you received on-screen billing. If your name does not appear in the credits, we probably will not accept the submission. We make very few exceptions (i.e., a cameo by a high-profile and recognizable actor). For more information please see our uncredited appearance guidelines.

  If you were not credited you can submit your entry and add "(uncredited)" in the Attributes field. Please be aware, however, that acceptance of these submission is entirely at our editors' discretion.

• My contract says that I'm entitled to a screen credit. Isn't that enough?
  Our experience is that sometimes people do not receive on-screen billing, even when a credit is contractually mandated. This could be due to accidental omissions or subsequent contractual changes -- regardless of the reason and of any contractual stipulations, we aim to list credits as they appear on-screen. So we need evidence of on-screen credit before we can accept the entry.

• I worked on the film and I was credited! How do I prove that to you?
  First, you should resubmit the update via the site. You can go back to your original update in your update history and edit it and re-send it. You should double check that the entry does fulfill our eligibility requirements and provide additional information for our editors. You should also provide additional information through the submissions form, using the "Miscellaneous Comment" or "Miscellaneous Correction" options.

  When you click on the "Update" button at the bottom of the page for the person or film you are trying to update, scroll down to the bottom of the submission form and check the "Miscellaneous Comment" or "Miscellaneous Correction" options. Then, on the next page, select the appropriate option from the drop-down menu (e.g., if you are adding a comment for an acting credit, select "Actor" or "Actress"; if you are adding a comment regarding a screenwriting credit, select "Writer", etc.) and type your comment in the text field. Everything you enter here will be sent directly to the staff in charge of that section of data on the site (and will not show up on the site -- this is for internal communication only). If you want to provide additional information to help us accept your submission, this is the way to do it.

• How can I provide proof that my submission is valid?
  Please keep in mind that we require verification of on-screen billing. In other words, we do not just want verification that you were involved in the making of a film -- we want evidence that your name appears in the main or end titles. Cast/crew call sheets, contracts, payment receipts, etc. are not evidence of on-screen billing. If you are able to prove that the credit does appear on screen (e.g., by providing a screener copy or a screen grab of the credits or similar materials), please contact us and we'll give you further instructions.

• I don't want to be bothered with this. I assure you that the data is correct and I demand that you take my word and accept it.
  Sorry, nothing personal -- but if our staff has not allowed your submission the first time around, it means that they will need verification before they can accept it. Also please remember that all submissions are subject to our editorial approval -- while we do our best to be as comprehensive and exhaustive as possible, we reserve the right to reject or withdraw information at any time at our sole discretion.

• I deserved an on-screen credit, but I was left out by mistake. You should list me anyway, since I worked on/appeared in it.
  We list credits as they appear on screen, regardless of what job was performed, so as to not involve the IMDb in disputes over who deserved credits. If you did not receive an on-screen credit, you may be eligible for an "(uncredited)" credit (subject to editorial approval) See our uncredited guidelines for more details.

• If my credit is not eligible, then why do you list these other guys who performed the same job as I did and were not credited either?
  It's entirely possible that their credits are ineligible too and that they should not be listed. If you notice inaccurate entries, please submit a correction/deletion (and provide an appropriate explanation in the required comment field) and our editors will rectify the inaccuracy.

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