Techniques are provided for sending and receiving key frames and key frame request messages. At a video conference bridge, a key frame request message is received from a first endpoint device. The key frame request message comprises a request for a key frame from a second endpoint device. When a prior key frame request message is received before the key frame request message, a key frame request time value is determined that corresponds to an amount of time between receiving the key frame request message and receiving the prior key frame request message. This value is compared to a threshold time value. When the key frame request time is greater than the threshold time, a key frame request forwarding message is generated, and the key frame request forwarding message is sent to the second endpoint device to request the key frame from the second endpoint device.