- Home
- Photo Backup Software
- FilmCan
FilmCan
What it is
FilmCan is a free, open-source macOS application for backing up camera cards and media to several drives in one pass. Its fan-out copy reads each source once, writes to multiple destinations, verifies the results with xxHash128, and creates ASC MHL manifests, including chain manifests. Fast verification checks hashes calculated during copying; Paranoid verification reads files from disk again. FilmCan checks available space and tests writes on every destination before transferring files. A stopped transfer can be rerun, skipping files already backed up everywhere. Custom folder templates and automatic camera and sound detection help organize material. Netflix Ingest provides Camera/Sound routing, roll folders, and report scaffolds. Optional ntfy and webhook alerts report success or failure. Transfers stay local, files are not uploaded, and notifications send status metadata only. It supports cameras that mount as storage and requires macOS 13 Ventura or later.
For and against
For
- Copies one source to multiple drives in one pass
- xxHash128 verification with Fast and Paranoid modes
- ASC MHL and chain manifests
- Resumable transfers skip completed destinations
- Local transfers with optional status alerts
Against
- macOS 13 Ventura or later required
- No cloud storage included
- External drives are user-provided
- Free plan is macOS-only
The verdict
FilmCan focuses on verified, local media duplication with manifests, resumable transfers, and production-oriented organization features. Its free GPL-3.0 release is limited to macOS and depends on your own destination drives.
Who it suits
FilmCan is intended for DITs, camera assistants, and cinematographers handling camera-card or media backups. It fits Mac users who bring their own external drives and need verified multi-destination copies.
Plans and prices
Free
macOS 13 Ventura or later · GPL-3.0 · Universal build for Apple Silicon and Intel
Read 9 Oct 2026 · filmcan.eu
On the record
- Camera compatibility
- The maker says FilmCan works with cameras that mount as storage, including RED, ARRI, Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Blackmagic, and GoPro.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Copying
- Its fan-out copy reads each source once and writes to multiple destinations in a single pass.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Destination checks
- FilmCan checks disk space and tests writes on every destination before touching files.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- FilmCan describes itself as built for DITs and says it is for camera assistants and cinematographers.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License and support
- FilmCan is GPL-3.0 licensed and open source; the maker lists email contact and GitHub bug and feature requests.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Manifests
- It writes ASC MHL manifests, including chain manifests.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Netflix Ingest
- The Netflix Ingest feature provides Camera/Sound routing, roll folders, and report scaffolds.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notifications
- Optional ntfy and webhook alerts report when a backup finishes or fails.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Organization
- It supports custom folder templates and camera/sound auto-detection.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says files are not uploaded, transfers stay local, and optional notifications send status metadata only.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FilmCan backs up camera cards and media to multiple drives in one pass, verifies the copies, and writes manifests.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Resume
- A stopped transfer can be rerun; FilmCan says it skips files already backed up to every destination.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Verification
- FilmCan uses xxHash128, with a fast mode that checks hashes computed during copying and a Paranoid mode that re-reads files from disk.filmcan.eu · read 9 Oct 2026
