Welcome to ZIONS INDIE FILM FEST (ZIFF)—where filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences come together to Gather. Celebrate. Connect. ZIFF continues its tradition of championing independent voices, fostering meaningful industry relationships, and creating unforgettable cinematic experiences in the heart of Utah.

📅 March 1–6, 2027
ZIFF transforms Utah's stunning Wasatch Mountains into a vibrant hub for creativity, collaboration, and cinematic discovery. For almost three decades, the festival has celebrated the power of independent film to inspire audiences and connect communities.

More than a film festival, ZIFF is a gathering place where filmmakers, industry professionals, students, media, and audiences come together to celebrate the art of storytelling. ZIFF offers an unforgettable experience designed to foster meaningful connections and career-building opportunities.

The festival showcases an exciting lineup of **narrative feature films, documentaries, short films, music videos, student films, and screenplays**, along with a variety of engaging events and educational opportunities, including:

🎤 Filmmaker Q&As
🤝 Networking Events
🎬 Industry Panels
📖 Live Table Reads
🎓 Educational Workshops
🥐 Private Filmmaker Breakfast
🌟 Red Carpet Gala
🎶 After Party featuring Live Music, a DJ, and Refreshments

Selected filmmakers receive opportunities for audience engagement, media exposure, networking events, filmmaker hospitality, swag bags, and direct access to fellow creators, industry leaders, distributors, and decision-makers.

At ZIFF, we believe great stories deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared.

We look forward to experiencing your story on the big screen.

Awards & Prizes

Congratulations on completing your project. Now it's time to share your work with audiences, industry professionals, and fellow creators at ZIONS INDIE FILM FEST.

At ZIFF, awards are earned through excellence. Every submission is carefully reviewed by industry professionals who recognize outstanding storytelling, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Selected filmmakers compete for category awards, audience recognition, and cash prizes, with winners honored during our Red Carpet Closing Night Awards Ceremony.

FESTIVAL AWARDS

🏆 ZIONS SPIRIT AWARD
Presented to the film that best embodies the heart, vision, and mission of ZIFF.
🏆 ZIONS IMPACT AWARD
Presented to a filmmaker whose work has made a meaningful contribution to the film community and demonstrated the power of storytelling to inspire positive change.
🏆 Best Director
🏆 Best Actor
🏆 Best Actress
🏆 Best Cinematography
🏆 Best Editing
🏆 Best Production Design
🏆 Best Narrative Feature
🏆 Best Documentary Feature
🏆 Best Narrative Short
🏆 Best After Dark Short (Horror, Suspenseful, Chilling)
🏆 Best Documentary Short
🏆 Best Music Video
🏆 Best Student Narrative Short
🏆 Best Student Documentary Short
*** Engraved festival trophies are also awarded to second and third place winners.

🏆 AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Every Official Selection is eligible for an Audience Choice Award, allowing festival attendees to recognize and celebrate the films that resonated most with them.
🏆 JOSHUA MICHAEL FRENCH SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Created in memory of Joshua Michael French—a close friend of the festival and a talented screenwriter, actor, and producer—this competition honors exceptional short screenplays between 5 and 40 pages in length. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three screenwriters:
🥇 First Place — $2,000
🥈 Second Place — $1,000
🥉 Third Place — $750

At ZIFF, we celebrate the courage to create, the discipline to finish, and the excellence that makes independent filmmaking unforgettable.

Rules & Terms

26TH ANNUAL ZIONS INDIE FILM FEST (ZIFF)
Submission Window: June 5 – December 13, 2026
Festival Dates: March 1–6, 2027

Thank you for considering ZIONS INDIE FILM FEST as part of your festival journey. We look forward to discovering your work and celebrating the storytellers whose passion and dedication continue to shape independent cinema.

Please review the following rules and guidelines carefully before submitting your project for consideration.

SELECTION PROCESS
Every submission receives careful consideration by the ZIFF programming team. Each film is viewed and scored by at least one member of the ZIFF staff and multiple jurors part of the Festival Selection Committee. Projects are evaluated on storytelling, originality, artistic merit, technical execution, and overall audience impact.

PREMIERE STATUS
Premiere status is not required for selection and does not directly affect a film's eligibility. However, once a premiere status is confirmed, it must remain locked throughout the festival submission process.

ZIFF proudly supports filmmakers who choose to premiere their work with us. World Premieres, U.S. Premieres, Regional Premieres, and Utah Premieres receive priority consideration for prime evening screening slots and may receive additional media exposure and distributor invitations coordinated by festival organizers.

Premiering at ZIFF provides filmmakers with an enhanced festival experience and greater opportunities for audience engagement, press coverage, and industry visibility.

CONTENT GUIDELINES
Films containing gratuitous nudity, sexually explicit content, excessive violence, or pervasive offensive language may be disqualified. We welcome thought-provoking stories and diverse perspectives that align with our community standards and festival values.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway no later than December 13, 2026.
Films must be available for screening during the festival dates of March 1–6, 2027.

If selected, the final exhibition copy must be delivered to the Program Director no later than January 31, 2027. Delivery instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Only original works will be accepted. Entrants must hold all necessary rights and clearances associated with their submission.

ZIFF does not pay screening fees or offer revenue sharing for festival screenings.

PERMISSIONS
By submitting your project, you agree:

🎬 To grant ZIFF permission to exhibit your film as part of the official 2027 festival program if selected.
🎬 To allow ZIFF to use approved excerpts, trailers, still images, and promotional materials for marketing, publicity, press, website, and social media purposes.

ENTRY FEES & NOTIFICATION
All entry fees are non-refundable. Once payment has been processed, submissions enter the review process and cannot be withdrawn for a refund.

Official Selection notifications will be sent on or before January 4, 2027.

SELECTED FILMS
Officially selected films will receive one All-Fest VIP Filmmaker Badge, providing access to:

⭐️ Festival screenings
⭐️ Picture's Up industry panels
⭐️ Filmmaker Lounge
⭐️ Filmmaker Breakfast
⭐️ Red Carpet Awards Show
⭐️ After Party Celebration 
⭐️ Networking events and special programming

Selected filmmakers may purchase up to two additional discounted VIP Filmmaker Badges for members of their production team.

LATE SCREENING CONSIDERATION (NON-COMPETITION)
Filmmakers who miss the submission deadline but wish to screen their film outside of competition may submit a special request to the Festival Director for review and consideration. Acceptance is limited and subject to programming availability.

68 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chad Jardine

    ZIFF was a phenomenal experience. The event staff went above and beyond—truly some of the best you could hope for. Communication was clear and I made connections with actors, artists, crew, distributors, producers, and other film makers. It was 10/10 for me.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Dylan Young

    Very kind and communicative folk. I was not able to attend, but have nothing but good things to say about the organizers. Will definitely try to attend next year!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Fabio Bruzzese

    Although I unfortunately couldn’t attend the event in person because I got sick during the week of the festival, I followed everything through Instagram and Facebook, and it looked absolutely amazing! I truly wish I could have been there.

    From what I saw, the event was incredibly well organized. All the communication through email was clear, friendly, and very professional throughout the entire process.

    I truly regret missing such a wonderful gathering, but I hope to have the opportunity to attend and be part of this amazing event next year.

    Thank you, **Zions Indie Film Fest**, for the incredible work you do and for the care and dedication you show to our filmmaking community.

    — Fabio Bruzzese
    Director of "A Beacon in the Heat" - Short Doc.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Jennifer Booth

    Absolutely loved the Zions Indie Film Fest!
    Congratulations to Michelle and Marshall Moore on Celebrating their 25th year of supporting Indie Filmmakers with Utah Film Family!
    Thank you for creating such a welcoming and inspiring festival experience.
    Jenn Booth

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • McKenna Murphy

    I had such an amazing time at Zions Indie Film Festival. The festival organizers made it such a fun and exciting event. I'm so grateful to be a part of this year's lineup.

    March 2026
    Helpful