Movie Localization Services

Translation, Subtitling, Voice-Over, Dubbing & CCSL — New York City


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Our Services

Our Process

Why Us?

FAQ

Gotham Lab provides professional movie localization services for production companies, independent filmmakers, distributors, and streaming platforms. Based in New York City since 2007, our in-house team of linguists, subtitlers, voice directors, and CCSL specialists localizes films, documentaries, and series for global audiences in 50+ languages — with no outsourcing, no middlemen, and rates 20–30% below the national average.

Whether you need subtitles for a festival submission, a full dubbing package for an international theatrical release, or a Combined Continuity and Spotting List for distribution delivery, Gotham Lab is your single-source partner for every stage of the film localization process.

What Is Movie Localization?

Movie localization is the comprehensive process of adapting a film for release in a foreign-language market. It includes translating and culturally adapting every element of the film — script dialogue, subtitles, onscreen text, voice-over or dubbing, and marketing materials — so that the story resonates with the target audience as powerfully as it did in the original language.

True film localization goes far beyond direct translation. A line of dialogue that lands perfectly in English may not carry the same emotional weight, humor, or cultural meaning when translated word-for-word into Spanish or Japanese. Expert movie localization adapts the meaning, tone, and cultural context — not just the words.

Gotham Lab’s entertainment localization specialists bring deep knowledge of both source and target cultures to every project, ensuring that your film connects with international audiences the way you intended.

Our Movie Localization Services

Gotham Lab provides end-to-end film localization services from initial script translation through final delivery. Every service is performed in-house by our NYC-based team.

Service What we deliver Learn more
Film script translation Feature film, documentary, and short film script translation in 50+ languages. Native-speaking translators with film industry expertise — dialogue, character voice, cultural adaptation, and subtitle-ready formatting. Get a quote
Film subtitling Professional subtitling for theatrical release, streaming platform delivery, and festival submission. SRT, VTT, DFXP, TTML, and all platform-specific formats. SDH tracks included. View service
SDH subtitles Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing — required by Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and broadcast. Dialogue, speaker identification, sound effects, and music descriptions in all delivery formats. Get a quote
Voice-over & dubbing Multilingual voice-over and lip-sync dubbing recorded in our NYC studio. Native-speaking professional talent across 50+ languages. Broadcast and streaming ready. View service
CCSL creation Combined Continuity and Spotting List creation — the master subtitle timing document required for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and international distribution. Delivered to platform spec. View service
Festival submission package Complete subtitle and localization packages for Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, and other major international film festivals. Format guidance and deadline support included. Get a quote
Streaming platform delivery Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Hulu compliant subtitle and localization packages. Platform-specific formatting, reading speed compliance, and SDH track delivery. Get a quote

Our Film Localization Process

Every movie localization project at Gotham Lab follows a structured, quality-controlled workflow designed to meet broadcast, streaming, and festival delivery requirements.

Consultation & Review Translation & Adaptation Production Quality Control Delivery

Project consultation & technical review

We begin with a free consultation to assess your project scope, target markets, and delivery requirements. Our team reviews source materials — scripts, video files, timing guides — and confirms language pairs, format specs, and timelines before any work begins.

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Script translation & cultural adaptation

Our native-speaking translators with entertainment industry backgrounds translate your script with full attention to character voice, idiomatic expression, humor, and cultural context. We do not rely on machine translation for final output — every line is reviewed and refined by a human specialist.

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Subtitling or dubbing production

For subtitling projects, our editors create time-coded subtitle files that conform to platform-specific technical requirements — character-per-line limits, reading speed standards, and correct SRT/VTT/SCC formatting. For dubbing and voice-over, our NYC studio records professional voice talent with lip-sync accuracy and directs performances to match the emotional register of the original.

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Quality assurance & compliance review

All localized content is reviewed against the source video for timing accuracy, linguistic consistency, and cultural appropriateness. We conduct a final technical compliance check against the delivery specifications of your distribution target before delivering final files.


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Final delivery

We deliver all files in the exact formats required by your distributor, streaming platform, or festival — including SRT, VTT, SCC, TTML, STL, Netflix DFXP, DCP-compliant formats, and CCSL documentation. Rush delivery is available for time-sensitive projects.

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Free quote — same day response

Contact us for a precise project quote. We respond to all inquiries within one business day. Rush turnaround available for time-sensitive deadlines. Ready to start? Contact Gotham Lab for a free consultation!

Free Quote

Why Choose Gotham Lab for Film Localization?

New York City — at the center of the entertainment industry

Founded in New York City in 2007, Gotham Lab operates at the heart of the US film and entertainment industry. Our location gives us direct access to top-tier voice talent, proximity to production companies and distributors, and a deep understanding of the standards that US and international markets expect.

Empire state building at dusk near the Midtown Manhattan location of Gotham Lab, a New York localization and translation company.
In-house team

Every translation, subtitle, voice-over, and CCSL project is handled exclusively by our NYC-based team. We never subcontract your content to third-party vendors. This means consistent quality, complete confidentiality, and a single point of contact from intake to delivery.

Technical translation services New York City — patent, software, engineering, medical device translation by Gotham Lab
RATE COMPARISON

Because we operate entirely in-house without a middleman markup, Gotham Lab’s movie localization rates are consistently 20–30% below the national average. Clients get professional-grade quality at independent-friendly pricing — whether you’re a studio or a first-time filmmaker.

Translations in any language around the world.
LOCALIZATION SPECIALISTS

Our linguists are selected specifically for their entertainment industry expertise. They understand the craft of film — character voice, comedic timing, dramatic subtext, and the cultural nuances that make the difference between a translation that works and one that doesn’t.

Historic landmark audio guide production New York City — voice-over narration by Gotham Lab
Film Localization

From first draft translation to CCSL creation to final subtitle delivery, Gotham Lab handles the complete film localization workflow. No need to coordinate between separate translation, subtitling, and CCSL vendors — we manage every step with a single project manager and a unified quality standard.

In-house. New York City. Since 2007

Every project handled by our NYC team — no outsourcing, no middlemen, no subcontractors. Translation, localization, subtitling, voice-over, and CCSL in 50+ languages at rates 20–30% below the national average. Get started with a free consultation today.

Free Quote

CCSL Services for 
Film Distribution

A Combined Continuity and Spotting List (CCSL) is a required deliverable for international distribution, major streaming platform delivery (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu), and film festival submissions. It serves as the official legal description of your film for copyright registration and is the master reference document used by all foreign-language subtitling and dubbing vendors.

Gotham Lab’s sister company, GothamCCSL.com, specializes exclusively in CCSL creation — making us one of the only localization providers in the US that offers both CCSL services and full film localization under one roof. This integrated approach streamlines your distribution workflow and eliminates costly delays caused by coordinating between separate vendors.

We create CCSLs for feature films, documentaries, short films, TV series, and web content. Each CCSL includes:

  1. Shot-by-shot action continuity with timecodes
  2. Complete verbatim dialogue with speaker identification
  3. Spotting list with subtitle in/out times and calculated durations
  4. Music and sound effects cues
  5. Complete main and end credits
  6. DCP-ready formatting with reel separation (available on request)


f.a.q.

Frequently Asked Questions — Movie Localization Services

Everything you need to know about movie localization, film subtitling, dubbing, CCSL creation, and international distribution delivery — answered by Gotham Lab’s New York City film localization team.

What is movie localization?
Movie localization is the process of adapting a film for international audiences — translating dialogue, creating subtitles, producing dubbed voice-over tracks, and preparing all documentation required for international distribution. A fully localized film feels natural and culturally appropriate to its target audience rather than simply translated. Gotham Lab provides complete movie localization services from script translation through final delivery.
What is the difference between subtitling and dubbing for film?
Subtitling displays translated dialogue as text on screen while preserving the original audio track. Dubbing replaces the original audio with a new voice-over recording in the target language — either as a non-sync voice-over narration or as lip-sync dubbing where the new dialogue is timed to match the actors' mouth movements. Subtitling is faster and less expensive. Dubbing is preferred for markets where subtitle reading is culturally less common. Gotham Lab provides both subtitling and dubbing services for film and television.
What is a CCSL and do I need one?
A CCSL — Combined Continuity and Spotting List — is the master subtitle timing document that lists every line of dialogue, sound effect, and music cue in a film with precise timecodes. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and most major streaming platforms require a CCSL for every feature film delivered to their platform. International distributors also require CCSLs as part of the delivery package. If you are delivering your film to any major streaming platform or international distributor, you almost certainly need a CCSL. Learn more about our CCSL services at GothamCCSL.com.
How much does movie localization cost?
Gotham Lab's movie localization rates start from $6 per minute for film subtitling, $0.07 per word for script translation, and $1,200 for CCSL creation on a feature film. Complete multilingual localization packages — covering subtitling, SDH, CCSL, and script translation in a single language — are available at bundled rates. Contact us for a free project quote — we respond within one business day.
What subtitle formats do you deliver for film?
Gotham Lab delivers subtitle files in every major format required for film distribution — SRT, VTT, DFXP, TTML, SCC, STL, PAC, EBU, iTunes iTT, and Netflix-specific TTML. We also provide SDH tracks in all formats. Every subtitle file is quality reviewed against the source video before delivery. View our full subtitle format list.
Do you provide subtitling for film festivals?
Yes. Gotham Lab provides subtitling for Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, and all major international film festivals. Festival submission formats and deadline requirements vary — contact us as early as possible with your festival submission deadline so we can confirm format specifications and delivery timeline. Rush turnaround is available for time-sensitive festival deadlines.
How long does movie localization take?
A standard feature-length film (90–120 minutes) typically requires 10–15 business days for complete localization in one language — covering script translation, subtitling, quality review, and format delivery. CCSL creation adds 5–7 business days. Rush delivery is available. For multilingual packages covering multiple languages simultaneously, timelines are confirmed per project based on language combination and content complexity. Contact us with your project details for a precise timeline.
Can you localize a film into multiple languages simultaneously?
Yes. Gotham Lab manages multilingual localization packages covering multiple language pairs simultaneously — coordinated by a single project manager with unified quality standards and a single delivery package. This is the most efficient approach for films targeting multiple international markets. We have localized films into 10+ languages simultaneously for major distribution releases. Contact us to discuss your multilingual project.
Do you provide Netflix and streaming platform compliant delivery?
Yes. Gotham Lab delivers Netflix-compliant subtitle packages including DFXP/TTML files, SDH tracks, and CCSL spotting lists — all meeting Netflix's technical specifications including reading speed limits, character-per-line constraints, and SDH formatting requirements. We also deliver to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Hulu, and HBO Max specifications. Every delivery is reviewed against platform requirements before submission.
Is all movie localization work done in New York?
Yes — all script translation, subtitling, SDH, voice-over, dubbing, and CCSL work is handled in-house by our New York City team at 340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108. We never outsource film localization projects to third-party vendors or offshore networks. This ensures consistent quality, complete confidentiality, and accountable project management from first consultation through final delivery. Contact our NYC team today.

Who We Work With

Gotham Lab provides movie localization services for:

  • Independent filmmakers preparing for international festival submission
  • Production companies localizing content for foreign theatrical or streaming release
  • Film distributors requiring full delivery packages including CCSL documentation
  • Streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, Hulu, Disney+) requiring platform-compliant subtitle and dubbing files
  • Advertising and marketing agencies localizing film trailers and EPK materials
  • Museums, educational institutions, and nonprofits distributing documentary content internationally
  • Corporate clients localizing training, explainer, and branded video content for global markets

Request a Quote for Your Film Localization Project

Ready to take your film to a global audience? Contact our NYC team for a free consultation. Contact our NYC-based team for a free consultation and custom quote — no commitment required. We typically respond within one business day and can accommodate rush turnaround for time-sensitive releases and festival deadlines.

Contact Gotham Lab: info@gothamlab.com  |  +1 347-587-8110  |  340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108

Gotham Lab – NYC

Address: 340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108

Phone: +1 347-587-8110

Email: info@gothamlab.com

Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:00am–7:00pm  |  Sat: 9:00am–5:00pm