San Francisco Zine Fest is an annual celebration of self-publishing, writing, and art zine in the Bay Area.

Founded in 2001, our annual festival celebrates approximately 200 independent writers, artists and creators, particularly ones who are marginalized and local.

In 2022, after two years of virtual festivals, SF Zine Fest was held at a new venue, City View at the Metreon, because of its accessibility, proximity to public transportation, and central location for communities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

The festival hosts screen printing and risograph printing workshops, and kid-friendly zones and stations. Throughout the year, SF Zine Fest organizers partner with Bay Area organizations such as KQED, San Francisco and Oakland libraries, bookstores, and community centers to offer workshops, teach classes, and appear at events to promote zinemaking.

Last year’s guest of honor was Avy Jetter, a talented artist and community organizer who is also queer, Black, and disabled. She was given a full table at the festival, and she was given the power to hand-pick three zinemakers to exhibit at the fest. She and the three zinemakers were also part of a filmed reading at Silver Sprocket bookstore.

Our 2022 exhibitor survey revealed that 66% of artists were first time tablers at SF Zine Fest, of which 32% were tabling at their first zine fest ever. We also learned that of our exhibiting artists: 92% are from California, and 69% are from the Bay Area; 40% identify as people of color; 20% have disabilities; 60% identify under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella; and 24% identify as transgender or non-binary. Additionally, 48% of exhibitors have a household income of less than $50,000.

As we prepare for SF Zine Fest 2023, we hope to bring forward another excellent, inclusive and community-centered festival to celebrate independent small-scale art.