Zendarifestivalen

Zendarifestivalen (or simply known as ZFest) is a televised spin-off song contest, held between countries which are active members of the Zendari Broadcasting Association, and countries who are currently on the waiting list. The contest started in February 2018. To join the contest, please visit the Joining Zendari Song Contest page for more info.

History
On the 12th of February 2018, the Zendari Broadcasting Association decided to open up a spin-off contest that all countries on the waiting list were eligible to compete in, regardless of their place on the list, together with other active members in the Zendari Broadcasting Association. The result of this was Zendarifestivalen.

Format
The format is somewhat different to Zendari Song Contest. There is a hard limit of 32 participating countries in each edition, and all participating countries are split into 4 semi-finals, with 8 countries each. All countries must vote in their own semi-final, but they are allowed to vote in the other semi-finals as well, by giving out a maximum of 5 hearts to each song. The results of all semi-finals are decided through 75% jury votes, and 25% heartvotes. The 2 countries who receive the most points in each semi-final will advance to the grand final, and the countries who land on 3rd and 4th are sent to a Second Chance round, and the rest are eliminated.

In the Second Chance round, the 8 countries will be divided into 4 duels, and face off against another country. All countries are given one vote each in all duels, and the song that receives the most votes in each duel will advance to the grand final. All countries who are in the second chance round must vote. The countries that have been eliminated, and the countries that are in the grand final are allowed to vote, but it's not a requirement.

In the grand final, the results are decided through 50% jury votes, and 50% heartvotes. All of the finalists must vote. The countries that have been eliminated are allowed to vote using the heartvote system, but it's not a requirement.