Unable to Remove Incorrect Release Date for Unreleased Short Film (Need Advice)

Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing an issue with an IMDb listing for a short film I directed, and I would really appreciate any advice from those who may have encountered a similar situation.

While initially creating the IMDb page for our film, we mistakenly added a release year (2026), which automatically generated a release date. However, the film has not been publicly released, screened, or selected by any festivals yet. It is currently still in the submission phase.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37677234/?ref_=nm_knf_i_2

We have attempted to correct this by submitting a request to remove the release date, but the request has been declined twice due to “lack of evidence.” This is where we are struggling — since the film has not been released anywhere, there is naturally no public record to prove its unreleased status.

This has started to become a serious concern for us, as film festivals often refer to IMDb for release information, and we are worried this incorrect date could negatively impact our premiere eligibility.

I would like to ask:

• Has anyone successfully removed an incorrect release date under similar circumstances?
• What kind of evidence would IMDb consider acceptable in proving that a film has not been publicly released?
• Would submission platform screenshots (e.g., FilmFreeway status) or a director statement typically be sufficient? （I did, and still got declined.）

I am the director and owner of the film, and I am fully willing to provide any necessary verification, but I am unsure what would meet IMDb’s standards in this case.

If any IMDb staff or experienced contributors could advise on how to proceed, I would greatly appreciate your guidance.

Thank you very much for your time and help.