Film Content Guidelines

The general rule for film content is that if your film could be aired on YouTube, then it is acceptable. If you’re wondering what’s okay, please watch some films from previous years.

Z-Fest Film Festival will not accept:

• Films which contain full nudity, pornography, or a representation thereof, for any length of time in any context or zoom level. Examples:
  • Fully exposed breasts or genitals.
  • A close-up of an exposed body part in which the body part does not appear to be nudity due to the zoom level.
  • A quick cut of a naked body or body part which is not fully perceptible due to the duration of the cut.

• Films which contain scenes which make derogatory or inflammatory statements about individuals or groups of people.
• Films which are intended to harm someone’s reputation.
• Films which show actual (not depicted) acts of destruction of property, violence, or any other criminal activity.
• Films which depict sexual abuse.
• Films which depict animal torture or abuse.
• Films which display shocking, disgusting or gruesome images.
• Films which promote extreme or real-life violence.
• Films which contain any sort of hate speech or language
• If you are not sure, please ask early on in your production process!!

Profanity Guidelines for Z-Fest:

• Excessive profanity is not acceptable.
• Certain profanity, if it is used sparsely, is acceptable.
• Certain offensive language is never acceptable, such as racial slurs, homophobic language, etc.
• Any profanity which is included for the sole purpose of being shocking and making the audience feel uncomfortable will not be allowed.
• Keep in mind, Z-Fest films are intended for a broad audience that could include underage persons.