Structural changes in sol-gel films with photo-irradiation were investigated using zinc oxide (ZnO) derived from zinc acetate. The exposure of the films to an ultraviolet lamp induced hexagonal ZnO crystals in a relatively dense amorphous structure. On the other hand, the formation of zinc metal was found in a porous gel film. The photo-induced crystallization and reduction are ascribed to the electronic excitation in the metastable non-crystalline states.