SFZF2020 Cyber Fest FAQs

When/where is the fest again?
Cyber Fest events will take place September 6 through 26 and will be broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook.

What is Cyber Fest anyway?
Cyber Fest is a three week long FREE virtual festival since we cannot meet in-person this year. Everyone will be able to watch the Cyber Fest programs live on YouTube and Facebook. Programs include workshops, demos, guest of honor Q&A, zine readings, and exhibitor Show & Tell.

Think of Cyber Fest as a 3 week festival in which each week is headlined by a Guest of Honor. We have three guests of honor this year: Alex L. Combs, Deth P. Sun, and Tanna Tucker. 150 exhibitors have been selected to share their work during Cyber Fest. Learn about them here.

ASL interpretation will be provided at several events. See our full schedule here.

Is Cyber Fest accessible?
ASL interpretation will be provided at several events. See our full schedule here. We are working with volunteers and ProBonoASL to provide interpretation at events.

Cyber Fest is FREE to attend and participate in. Everyone will be able to watch the Cyber Fest programs live on YouTube and Facebook.

What types of events/programs will you have during Cyber Fest?

  • Show & Tell (Check out our Show & Tell schedule here)

    • This is how exhibitors will be able to interact with each other. This will allow exhibitors the chance to talk about themselves and their work.

    • There will be 15 one-hour long Show & Tell sessions throughout Cyber Fest.

    • 10 exhibitors have been grouped together per session. 

    • Each exhibitor will have 4 MINUTES to present their work and themselves.

    • Exhibitors, PLEASE CONFIRM your participation in these Show & Tell sessions ASAP if you haven’t already.

  • Guest of Honor Q & A

    • These will take place on Sundays from 4-5 pm.

    • We have three Guests of Honor this year: Alex L. Combs, Deth P. Sun, and Tanna Tucker.

      • Alex’s Q & A is on Sep. 6, from 4-5 pm

      • Deth’s Q & A is on Sep. 13, from 4-5 pm

      • Tanna’s Q & A is on Sep. 20, from 4-5 pm

  • Thinking Captions Readings

    • There will be three Thinking Captions Zine Readings this year. These are readings with a Guest of Honor and three artists they’ve invited to read.

      • Thinking Captions #1 - Thurs, Sep. 10 from 5-6:30 pm

        • Alex L. Combs

        • Breena Nuñez

        • Maxi Rodriguez

        • Shuchita Mishra

      • Thinking Captions #2 - Fri, Sep. 18 from 5-6:30 pm

        • Deth P. Sun

        • Eric Nakamura

        • Hellen Jo

        • Kerry Ann Lee

      • Thinking Captions #3 - Thurs, Sep. 24 from 6-7:30 pm

        • Tanna Tucker

        • Minnie Phan

        • Richie Pope

        • Soleil Summer

  • Workshops/Demos

    • We will have 1-hour long:

      • Screen Printing Demo on Sun, Sep. 6 from 3-4 pm

      • Risograph Printing Demo on Sat, Sep. 19 from 1-2 pm 

      • Drawing/zine-making workshops for everyone, including two which are specifically for families and kids.

      • The Sep. 9  “Intro to Bookbinding” workshop for teens,  co-hosted by San Francisco Center for the Book, is by invite only. Participants for the event have already been selected.

  • Panel with Artists Who are Also Parents

    • A 1-hour long panel on Sunday, Sep. 20 from 3-4 pm

    • Panelists will discuss a range of topics, including our social, emotional, and political climates.

  • Public Access Videos

    • SFZF interviews by Solitaire Miguel will air on “All In,” a local public access TV show, from 11 pm - midnight.

      • URL: 29.sfc.tv

  • The LogOff

    • This is our official closing party, hosted by Leef Smith of Mission Comics and Art! Come hang out, talk to the zinesters you’ve met throughout the month, and chat about ideas, inspiration, or anything else!

What is a safer space and why do I have to agree to a safer space agreement?
A safer space is “a supportive, non-threatening environment that encourages open-mindedness, respect, a willingness to learn from others, as well as physical and mental safety” (from the Coalition for Safer Spaces). SFZF organizers are committed to maintaining a safer space at zine fest, and we ask all tablers and attendees to make the same commitment. Read our policy here.

How much does it cost to be an exhibitor or to attend?
SF Zine Fest will always be free for attendees/visitors. Exhibitors have had to pay tabling-fees in the past to cover expenses, including the cost of renting the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. Since we cannot hold an in-person fest this year due to COVID-19, Cyber Fest will be free for exhibitors as well. Workshops, panels, interviews, and more will be available online for free.

Please consider supporting the SFZF organization with a donation, if you can, to help pay guests of honor, workshop facilitators, panelists, ASL interpreters, etc.

Can I still apply to Cyber Fest?
Unfortunately, Cyber Fest 2020 applications have closed. You cannot apply this year. Applications for the 2021 festival should be open in mid-May or June depending on whether we resume our in-person festival or continue with another Cyber Fest.

How can I support SF Zine Fest?
All of the SF Zine Fest organizers were in agreement that holding an event with 5,000 people in an enclosed space would not be feasible or safe this year, so we made the unanimous decision to instead hold SF Zine Fest as a digital event. This means we will not be able to raise funds through tabling fees or in-person donation. BUT, you can still help! We need your help to pay guests of honor, workshop facilitators, readers, ASL interpreters, artists, etc.

Thank you.