The Golden Eye endowed with a CHF 25.000 cash prize will be awarded in the Focus Competition by a separate jury. The cash endowment is to be shared equally between director and producer of winning films in all three categories. Winning films with Swiss distribution further profit from P&A contribution for a theatrical release in Switzerland.

Competition Entry Requirements

Submissions to the competition must fulfill the following criteria:
    •    Director’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature-length film (> 60 min)  
    •    Projects completed after October 1, 2022 
    •    Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF
    •    Switzerland, Germany or Austria has to be main production country

The Golden Eye endowed with a CHF 25'000 cash prize will be awarded in each of the three categories (Feature, Documentary and Focus Competition) by three separate juries. The cash endowment is to be shared equally between director and producer of winning films in all three categories. Winning films with Swiss distribution further profit from P&A contribution for a theatrical release in Switzerland.

Competition Entry Requirements

Submissions to the competition must fulfill the following criteria:

    •    Director’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature-length film (> 60 min)  
    •    Projects completed after October 1, 2022   
    •    Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF

The Golden Eye endowed with a CHF 25'000 cash prize will be awarded in each of the three categories (Feature, Documentary and Focus Competition) by three separate juries. The cash endowment is to be shared equally between director and producer of winning films in all three categories. Winning films with Swiss distribution further profit from P&A contribution for a theatrical release in Switzerland.

Competition Entry Requirements

Submissions to the competition must fulfill the following criteria:

    •    Director’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature-length film (> 60 min)  
    •    Projects completed after October 1, 2022   
    •    Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF

Documentary and fiction films can be submitted to the following sections:

• Gala Premieres 
• Special Screenings
• Hashtag
• New World View
• Sounds
• Border Lines 
• Window
• ZFF for Kids

Out of Competition Requirements

Submissions to the Out of Competition sections must fulfill the following criteria:

    •    Films must be at least 60 minutes long 
    •    Projects completed after October 1, 2022    
    •    Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF

When is the next festival?
The 19th Zurich Film Festival will take place from September 28 to October 8, 2023.

Do you accept short films?
No, unfortunately not. All submitted films must be at least 60 minutes long.

Does ZFF have a competition?
Yes. The competition comprises of the following three categories:

• Focus Competition (Feature Films and Documentary Films)
• Feature Film Competition
• Documentary Competition 

Do you accept TV series? 
No. There is no section for series at the 19th Zurich Film Festival. 

How do I submit?
All film submissions to ZFF must be made via the FilmFreeway. To create a FilmFreeway account and submit your film to ZFF, please visit the FilmFreeway website.

How many films can I submit?
You may submit as many films as you like providing each film meets the submission criteria and requirements. Please ensure that each film is on its own secure link.

Do you accept Works In Progress (WIPs) or ‘rough cuts’?
Yes, ZFF does accept Works in Progress submission. But films must be at least in picture lock stage. Please label clearly what’s in progress (e.g. Colour grading etc.). Pleaes be aware that the films must ultimately finished for the festival dates (incl. creation of a DCP with subtitles).

When will I be informed about the outcome of my submission?
We will email the main contact of the submission via email no later than the end of August. As we administer a vast number of submissions, we ask that you please be patient with hearing from us.

How much does it cost to submit a film?
A FilmFreeway account is free. ZFF charges a small submission fee:

• Early Bird (until March 31st): 55$ (FilmFreeway Gold Members: 45$)
• Regular Deadline (until June 30th): 100$ (FilmFreeway Gold Members: 90$)

If you need further assistance after reading through the Submissions FAQ and regulations, please contact Meena Spälti meena.spaelti(at)zff.com.