Deciding between image (png) and text (srt) subtitles in VF

[Adridulte]

Hello,

I'm a colorist, and often doing deliveries. Lately I have been scratching my head on the issue of subtitle types in VF DCPs.
I'm an advocate for image based subtitles delivered as VF DCP, which enables me to precisely control formatting, colors, positioning… If I were to choose I would always deliver one DCP with an additional VF with image based subtitles + a DCP with burned in subtitles. But sometimes for time or money reasons I'm only able to do the VF.
Ever since I'm doing this I've never had a problem and delivered to multiple large European film festivals. But not so long ago I stumbled across the technical guide of the Cannes Film festival which explicitly prohibit "sub-picture" image based subtitles.

https://www.marchedufilm.com/wp-content ... 23-eng.pdf

Since Cannes is undoubtedly a major actor in Film festivals I'm debating switching to only deliver text based subtitles from now on, from a convenience and compatibility standpoint. The other option would be delivering both formats (image and text) but then I don't know how I would differentiate the 2 VFs.

What are you thoughts on the matter?

Thanks,
Adrien