Documentary Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Distant Moon is an award-winning production company seeking a Senior Film Editor to lead editorial work across documentary, commercial, and narrative projects while helping shape the creative standards of the post-production team.

This role is for a highly experienced editor with strong storytelling instincts, sound creative judgment, and the ability to independently guide projects from assembly through final delivery. We're looking for someone who can operate with minimal oversight, make strong creative decisions, and help elevate the quality and consistency of work across the team.

We care far more about the quality of an editor's work, storytelling instincts, and creative judgment than checking every box on a rsum.

• Lead edits from assembly through final delivery
• Collaborate closely with directors to shape story, pacing, tone, and structure
• Serve as a creative and technical resource for editors and assistant editors
• Review edits and provide feedback before director or client review
• Help maintain editorial standards, workflows, and post-production best practices
• Organize footage, oversee project structure, and maintain clean deliverables
• Handle temp sound design, music editing, and supporting audio work during the editorial process
• Source archival footage, music, and supporting media assets when needed
• Upload and manage review versions through Frame.io
• Occasionally collaborate with production teams during shoots or production planning when editorial involvement is beneficial.

• Typically 7 - 10+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, or narrative projects
• A strong portfolio demonstrating high-level storytelling, pacing, emotional structure, and editorial leadership
• Ability to take ownership of projects and move edits forward with minimal oversight
• Strong creative judgment and confidence making editorial decisions while remaining collaborative with directors and post leadership
• Experience mentoring editors or contributing to collaborative post-production environments
• Advanced proficiency in Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Strong communication, organization, and collaborative leadership skills
• Self-directed, dependable, and comfortable managing priorities across multiple projects

Exceptional creative work, editorial leadership, and portfolio strength may be considered in place of strict years-of-experience requirements.

• After Effects, Audition, or motion graphics experience
• Color workflow familiarity
• Experience leading editorial teams or managing post-production workflows
• Interest in long-form narrative filmmaking

Distant Moon creates films and media designed to move audiences, challenge ideas, and engage deeper questions about culture, meaning, and human flourishing. Our work spans documentary, commercial, educational, and narrative storytelling across a wide range of mission-driven clients and partners.

Many of our projects involve values-driven subject matter and require thoughtful storytelling, strong creative judgment, and editorial sensitivity. We value people who work collaboratively, communicate well, and take pride in producing polished, emotionally grounded work.

Distant Moon operates from a purpose-built creative studio in Leesburg, Virginia designed specifically for filmmakers, editors, and storytellers. Our workspace was intentionally built to support collaboration, focused editorial work, production planning, and creative development across all stages of filmmaking.

This is an in-person role working alongside directors, editors, producers, and creatives in a highly collaborative studio environment. The space includes dedicated edit suites, production areas, collaborative workspaces, and creative gathering spaces designed to support both focused work and team collaboration.

While much of the role involves desk-based editorial work, team members may occasionally assist with production-related activities, equipment movement, or on-set support as needed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.