ZMF ABOUT

Recognizing the power of art and media to help change the world, the annual "Zeitgeist Media Festival" (ZMF) bridges the artistic & activist communities in the hope to inspire change. It recognizes that needed changes in the structural/economic workings of society can only manifest in tandem with a personal/social transformation of values in each of us. While intellectual knowledge serves its role of showing the path, many in the world follow their feelings and comforts - not new knowledge.

We feel Art is the most powerful tool we have to bridge these levels of awareness and inspire action for change. Keeping the gesture of the long history of influential artistic creators whose vision have changed our world for the better, The ZMF works to unify the world through this expression with the basic ethos that we are one species sharing one planet and it is time the world learns to work together for the betterment of all before it is too late.

The Inaugural Event for the now annual Zeitgeist Media Festival occurred in 2011 with over 40 events occurring across 20 countries. While started by the non-profit, social sustainability activist organization The Zeitgeist Movement, the ZMF is open to any socially conscious group which wishes to express change and a better, peaceful world through the power of art.

Participating in The Media Festival does not mean each event shares some strict requirement of focus. However, participation does require that each act/expression understand and agree with a general train of thought (Please review our Mission Statement below) with respect to human and social sustainability and the self-evident factors that comprise a Global View of Earth as a single system and how that relates to our single Human Family.

All ZMF Events are Non-Profit / At Cost Expressions and are organized and run by volunteers. While this is a Global idea and all events are important, we feature one "Main Event" each year which is promoted directly. In 2012, this main event will be in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Finally, each event year has a Theme which can be acted upon - but not required. For 2012, the theme is "Short Films". (See Below)

If you are interested in conducting an event, please see "How to Submit an Event" below.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of The Zeitgeist Media Festival is to unify the world through annual awareness events that bridge the difference between all nations, races, classes, genders and creeds; to understand we all share the same basic needs; ;to understand we are truly One Family sharing One Habitat and that our world views and hence societal approaches should reflect this foundational Global Perspective. The ZMF works to help facilitate this unifying expression for all socially conscious organizations that wish to use the power of Art to effect change in the social "Zeitgeist" - advancing our value system to see how much positive possibility there is for real social change if we choose not to fear it.

2012 EVENT WEEKEND: AUGUST 3RD, 4TH, 5TH

The Zeitgeist Media Festival's global event set is to occur in 2012 during the first weekend of August. However, there is always some flexibility with this if, due to technical reasons, an event must occur a few days before or after this period. However, we urge everyone to work to keep as close to the noted period as possible for the sake of expressing global event solidarity.

 

ZMF MAIN EVENT August 5th
In 2011, the Main Event was at the Music Box in Hollywood CA, USA in late September. For 2012, the date has been set for the first weekend in August- likely Aug 5th, Sunday. However, information is still pending about exact venue details. This website will be updated with venue, program and ticket information as soon as it is available.

Also, the Main Event is always Streamed Live for the Global Audience via the Web. In 2011, well over 100,000 people tuned in from all over the world.

GLOBAL ACTIVISM & CHARITY SUPPORT

In 2011, The Zeitgeist Media Festival globally raised over 12,000 meals for the poor via 40 events via 20 countries. In 2012, we hope to far exceed this first year experiment. As many know, poverty has been on the rise across the world and while it is clear that deep structural changes are needed to really achieve a resolution to this epidemic, it is also important we do our best to support those in need on a day to day basis.

The Zeitgeist Movement conducts all its events with a Food and Clothes drives whenever possible to help those locally. Rather than donate money to a third party organization, we support the direct material drives which cut out the middle man and possible corruption. Prior partners in America have included the LA Food Bank, Oregon Food Bank, Chicago Food Depository, Second Helpings, Food not Bombs, Quest and many others.

Those interested in conducting a ZMF event and including a Resource Drive should research their local community's donation based non-profits/food banks. You may also have luck searching the Feeding America listing service if in America. Otherwise, it is important to point out that any little bit helps and no event or donation is "too small" to matter.

NETWORK

Apart from joining the Mailing List, the ZMF's main Youtube channel and its Facebook page is a good way to follow everything happening. Support for the event is limited only to your interest to promote. As noted before, this is a grassroots, non-corporate concept and the success of each years' events depends on the support of the community.

HOW TO CONDUCT AN EVENT

If you are in agreement with the Mission Statement above and would like your event to be recognized and posted, please submit an Event Form. The terms of your participation are very simple:

1) Your event will be not for profit.
2) You will, if possible, conduct a Food/Resource Drive to help your community.

Beyond that, the curation of your event and its specifics are up to you.. A ZMF event does not need to be a huge, 1000 person seat venue. It could be a small outdoor, community event or even semi-private affair. Of course, it is very important that you document what you have done, large or small. Setting up a Facebook/Youtube Channel for your community and video documentation is highly suggested. After your event is complete, we would appreciate all press/video/photo of your event be sent to us so we can continue an ongoing catalog each year to show the development.

SUBMIT A FILM SHORT FOR THE MAIN EVENT

The Theme for 2012 is socially conscious Film Shorts. If you have a 3-10 min video short which is your own work and would like to submit it for free for consideration for screening the Main Event in LA, USA, please upload to the internet and send a link via the Contact page (Note: if you are concerned about privacy, know that both Youtube and Vimeo allow for free password protected or "hidden" uploads so they will remain private.) All submissions sent will remain private and only viewed by our LA curators. All approved submitters to the ZMF will sign a contract waiving all liability from the ZMF in the event any form of copyright infringement was to occur.

Film submission is now full/closed! Thank you! (June 18th)