Festival regulations of 67ᵗʰ Zlín Film Festival
I. BASIC INFORMATION
Zlín Film Festival – International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlín
The mission of the Zlín Film Festival is to present contemporary world cinema for children and young audiences, create opportunities for encounters between audiences, filmmakers and film professionals, and, through film, offer young people not only a strong cultural and viewing experience, but also an opportunity to better understand the world around them, its diversity and values. At the same time, the festival helps them develop a relationship with film, strengthen their ability to appreciate its artistic and social value, share film experiences and reflect on them together.
Zlín Film Festival – International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlín is organized by FILMFEST, s. r. o., with its registered office at Filmová 174, 760 01 Zlín, Czech Republic.
The 67th edition will take place in Zlín from May 27 to June 2, 2027.
II. PROGRAMME SECTIONS
A) Competition Sections
International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 12 years of age)
International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age)
International Competition of Short Animations for Children (up to 12 years of age)
Competition of European Feature Documentaries for Young Audience
International Competition of Student Films Zlín Dog
B) Non-Competition Sections
World Children’s Film Panorama
Beyond the Childhood’s Horizon
Festival Laurels from around the World
New Czech Films and TV Programmes
European Series for Teenagers
Neighbourhood
VR Cinema
Retrospective and Profile Sections
III. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Only films produced after January 1, 2025 are eligible for the competition sections. Short animations for children entered in the competition may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
The festival does not accept short live action films, with the exception of student films.
To participate in the festival, all films must be submitted via the application form and an online screener with English subtitles must be provided (unless the film is in Czech) no later than March 1, 2027. The organizer will notify applicants in writing of the film’s selection no later than April 1, 2027.
IV. FILM DELIVERY AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Participation in the festival is subject to delivery of the film in DCP format. Short animations and student films selected for the competitions may also be delivered in QuickTime H.264 HD format via an electronic film upload link. Films selected for the programme must be delivered to the organizer via an electronic upload link no later than May 5, 2027.
The festival strongly prefers unlocked DCPs. For a locked DCP, a KDM valid from May 22 to June 3, 2027 must be provided. The applicant is responsible for the technical quality of the film and its suitability for screening. In the event of technical deficiencies, the applicant is obliged, at the organizer’s request, to provide a new or corrected file. Failure to meet the delivery deadline may result in the film being withdrawn from the programme.
V. LANGUAGE VERSIONS
Applicants must provide films with English subtitles. Competition films for children, animations and non-competition films for children up to 12 years of age are accompanied by simultaneous interpretation into Czech provided by the organizer. All other films are screened in their original language with English subtitles and are simultaneously provided with Czech subtitles by the organizer. The organizer may grant an exception, particularly in the case of archival films.
VI. ENTRY AND SCREENING FEES
Participation in the festival is free of charge. If an applicant requires a screening fee, the amount must be agreed upon in advance. An invoice for the screening fee must be submitted no later than June 30, 2027. Invoices submitted after June 30, 2027 will not be taken into consideration and will not be paid by the organizer.
VII. FILM LIBRARY
Selected films will be available in the digital video library. The festival VOD platform is intended exclusively for accredited film professionals and journalists. Unless otherwise agreed with the organizer, acceptance of an invitation to participate in the festival programme constitutes the participant’s consent to the inclusion of the film in the festival film library.
VIII. FILM DELEGATIONS
A delegation of no more than two people may be invited for feature films in the competition for four days (three nights). By agreement, a delegation of two people may be invited for three days (two nights) for other films participating in the festival. Exceptions to this rule may be granted only by the festival management.
The organizer covers accommodation for delegations. In the case of several films by the same producer, the number of delegation members will be agreed individually with the festival production team.
If the organizer covers participants’ travel expenses, such travel will be arranged and paid for directly by the organizer, using a carrier selected by the organizer. The organizer does not cover any other travel-related expenses that have not been approved in advance.
IX. JURIES
Competition films are judged by:
a. International Expert Jury for Feature Films in the Children’s Category
b. International Expert Jury for Feature Films in the Junior and Youth Category
c. International Expert Jury for Short Animations for Children
d. ECFA Jury (European Children’s Film Association)
e. International Expert Jury for the Student Films Competition Zlín Dog
f. Children’s Jury for Feature Films in the Children’s Category
g. European Youth Jury for Feature Films in the Junior and Youth Category
h. Children’s Jury for Short Animations for Children
The organizer reserves the right to establish additional professional juries.
X. FESTIVAL AWARDS
1. Awards Presented by the Juries
International Expert Jury for Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film in the Children’s Category
Karel Zeman Award for Best Visual Achievement in a Feature Film in the Children’s Category
International Professional Jury for Feature Films in the Junior and Youth Category
Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film in the Junior Category
Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film in the Youth Category
Special Jury Prize in the Feature Film Competition in the Junior and Youth Category
International Expert Jury for Short Animations for Children
Golden Slipper for Best Short Animation for Children
Hermína Týrlová Award for Best Short Animation for Children up to 6 Years of Age
ECFA Jury (European Children’s Film Association)
ECFA Doc Award for Best European Documentary for Young Audience
International Professional Jury for the Student Film Competition Zlín Dog
Zlín Dog – Main Jury Award for Best Student Film (with a cash prize of EUR 1,000)
Jury Award for Best Animated Film
Jury Award for Best Live-action Film
Jury Award for Best Documentary Film
Children’s Jury for Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Children’s Jury Award for Best Feature Film in the Children’s Category
European Youth Jury for Feature Films in the Junior and Youth Category
Youth Jury Award for Best Feature Film in the Junior and Youth Category
Children’s Jury for Short Animations for Children
Children’s Jury Award for Best Short Animation for Children
2. Festival President’s Award
Golden Slipper for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema for Children and Youth
3. Audience Awards
Golden Apple – City of Zlín Audience Award for the Most Successful Feature Film
ČT :D Audience Award for Best Short Animation for Children
XI. CONCLUSION
The organizer is entitled to screen films as part of the official festival programme, including official festival screenings in other cities in the Czech Republic.
By submitting a film, the applicant confirms that they are authorized to grant the organizer permission to screen the film and promote it as part of the festival. The applicant also agrees to the free use of excerpts, photographs and other promotional materials from the film for the purpose of promoting the festival, including in television and radio broadcasts, on the internet, social media, in printed and other festival promotional materials. Film excerpts may not exceed three minutes in length, or two minutes in the case of short animations.
The organizer is entitled, during the festival, to take photographs and make audiovisual and audio recordings of participants, guests and delegation members and to use such materials free of charge for the festival’s documentation, promotional and presentation purposes, in particular on its website, social media, in print and electronic media, festival publications and other promotional materials.
Films included in the official festival programme are required to use the official Zlín Film Festival logo or festival laurels in their promotional materials.
By submitting a film, the applicant confirms their acceptance of these regulations and undertakes to comply with their provisions. The interpretation of these regulations and decisions in matters not expressly regulated herein shall fall within the competence of the festival management.
Markéta Pášmová, Artistic Director, 67th Zlín Film Festival