Film Turn-In Requirements

Films must be no more than seven minutes long.
In addition to the seven minutes for film content, a credit reel of no longer than one minute may be added.
The total of length of film plus credits can be no longer than eight minutes.
A 15 second (or less) title slate must be added to the end of each film (see “Title Slate” below). Does not count against your time.
Trailers must be no longer than 30 seconds long.

All films (not trailers) must be turned in using one of the acceptable formats below.
Teams must indicate on the team task system which format they will be using.
All Screeners should be ProRes files and these are the ONLY acceptable formats for turn-in:
If you are new to filmmaking you may submit in .MP4 knowing it will look substantially poor on the theatrical big screen.
- HD: 1920×1080 or UHD: 3840×2160
  - Quicktime .MOV file- Apple ProRes 422HQ 23.98/24 fps
- 2K Flat: 1998×1080 or 4K Flat: 3996×2160
  - Quicktime .MOV file- Apple ProRes 422HQ 23.98/24 fps
- 2K Scope: 2048×858 or 4K Scope: 4096×1716
  - Quicktime .MOV file- Apple ProRes 422HQ 23.98/24 fps
- NOTE 23.976 is equivalent to 23.98
- Unacceptable formats:
  - 720P and Standard Def will not be accepted
  - MXF, Avid DNxHR and DNxHD, Cineform, AVI, MPEG2, XDCam, Jpeg2000, Uncompressed, or Animation Codec
Color space should be Rec 709 Gamma 2.2
Click here to see a tutorial video regarding aspect ratios and turn-in formats.

Judging Films must be uploaded to your personal YouTube Channel in 1080p or higher. Make sure your youtube video is set to UNLISTED and “allow embedding” must be enabled for online judging to work. You must not break or change the link once created.
Judging Films links will be accepted via the task system. (h.264)
Screener links will be accepted via the task system. (ProRes)
Trailers links will be accepted via the task system. (h.264)
Nomination links will be accepted via the task system. (h.264)

A standard stereo audio track is acceptable
Teams which are submitting a film with surround sound must also submit the audio split as .L / .R / .C / .LS / .RS / .LFE
5.1 Surround, 7.1surround and Dolby Atmos are accepted.

An “End Slate” kit will be provided to all teams via the task system.
The end slate must be created/rendered and attached/appended to the end of each film.
Your team name, team number and film title must be included in your slate.
You must use the approved color and font for your end slate text
Font size will vary but please make it look good

Each film must include the phrase:
- This film was created as part of the Z-Fest Film Festival.
Credit reels are also required to display all sponsor logos.
Both festival and sponsor acknowledgements must be reasonably visible.
Logos will be available via download from the team task system.
Z-Fest strongly encourages teams to display sponsor logos in a creative manner.