Festival Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Associate Programmer, Fiction, Sundance Film Festival is charged with tracking projects, viewing feature fiction films submitted for consideration to the Sundance Film Festival, and actively participating in deliberations in regards to the final Festival program.

Working closely under the direction of Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival, this role supports Sundance Institute’s commitment to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences.

This temporary position works full time (40 hours per week) from Wednesday, September 2, 2026 to Friday, February 12, 2027 and requires extended hours, including evenings and weekends to meet key deadlines and respond to on-call needs as assigned. This position is based out of the greater Los Angeles, CA area in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout the year. Additionally, the role is required to travel and be lodged in Boulder during the January Film Festival.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Performing outreach to and corresponding with producers, directors, sales agents, and distributors on behalf of Sundance.

• Conducting research through IMDb, Studio System, and other sources to confirm premiere and eligibility status of highly-rated international features.

• Completing “first watches” and writes coverage for films submitted for Festival consideration.

• Viewing highly-rated films as “second watches” and making recommendations to the Programming team regarding the potential inclusion of those films into the Festival.

• Acting as key programming representative to ensure timely communication between the Programming department and Festival applicants in regards to matters of significance.

• Tracking projects and managing the programming database with accurate information on feature-length fiction films and projects currently in production.

• Updating the programming database as films are received during the submission process

• Checking lineups of other film festivals as they are released to notate and remove tracked films that are playing at other festivals.

• Conducting “checks” of films identified by Festival Programmers and Senior Programmers, as well as those included in the Festival tracking database.

• Collaborating with the greater Programming team to create “decision lists” for potential inclusion of films into the Festival.

• Participating in Programming team meetings throughout the programming process as well as in the lead-up to the Festival.

• Writing film descriptions and other various copy for film guide, catalogue, and website.

• Writing and distributing personal notifications to specific projects at the end of the programming process, as assigned

• Conducting film intros and facilitates film Q&A sessions at Festival.

• Maintaining assigned office hours in the Programming office throughout the Festival.

• As directed, collaborating with the Programming team on various Festival projects, events, and planning for filmmaker support leading up to and during the festival.

• Assisting in the planning and execution of online events as assigned, including filmmaker events leading up to the Festival and online industry meetings during the festival.

• Participating in the planning and execution of SIMS (Sundance Online Industry Meetings), including managing communications with filmmakers, scheduling and curating meetings, and interfacing with industry for Ask Me Anything sessions and associated events.

You have the following direct or transferable qualifications and skills:

• 4 years of film festival programming experience.

• Knowledge of film festival industry programming processes and procedures.

• Knowledge of film theory and film festival selection process.

• Working knowledge of various video formats and platforms.

• Outstanding communication skills, telephone, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

• Excellent organizational skills including self-management of work schedule.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Experience with film festival management websites and software, specifically Film Freeway and Airtable preferred.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Work closely with the larger programming team to ensure a well-balanced, diverse, and compelling program.

• Create a welcoming environment for coworkers, artists, audiences, and external constituents.

• Contribute to the larger thinking around ways the Festival can continue to improve and serve its constituents and the role programming can have within that process.

In addition to an hourly pay of $24.50, this position* is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:

• Paid sick leave and Institute holidays

• Employee assistance program

• Employee Wellness Initiatives

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Applications open 08/10/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week