This year the 2025 Z-Fest Season XVI has opted to use a “Choose 1” control element! “Popcorn”, “Ticket or Ticket Stub”, or a “Door Knob”.
We want to see everyone’s full creativity! Foreground, background, floating in space, your element simply needs to be clearly visible in a scene for a few seconds somewhere. It MUST BE inside the body of your film. Not simply pasted at the head or during the credits. It must be a physical thing not inserted using Photoshop or After Effects. It also should not be singled out and look like it was simply “cut” into your film. It must be USED during the production of your film, and included in the back/fore ground of your film.
Please do not make your film about “a bowl of popcorn “, “a Door Knob” or “a Ticket or Ticket Stub “. Do NOT try and put emphasis on the control element. This element is not meant to inspire your story in any way. Please just include it in your film in a natural way. You do not need to LINGER or draw attention to this element.
Q: Do I have to use all three?
A: NO. Thats why we said “Choose 1” above the photos.