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Film Festival Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Artvamp Films

Film Festival Intern

Boulder, CO · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

Film Festival Intern Freaky films, food, and fun! We're looking for students to run social media campaigns, create marketing materials, and follow up with potential sponsors, as well as assist with ...

Wisconsin

Film Society Producer

Stevens Point, WI

Film Screenings * 48 Hour Film Festival Key Job Responsibilities: Special Notes: Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a ...

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Film Festival information

What are film festivals?

Film festivals are organized events that showcase a variety of films, including feature-length movies, documentaries, and short films, often from different genres and countries. They provide a platform for filmmakers to present their work to an audience, which may include industry professionals, critics, and the general public. Film festivals often include competitive elements, where awards are given for excellence in various categories. They also serve as important networking opportunities for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and others in the film industry. Many festivals feature panel discussions, workshops, and special events to engage attendees and foster creative exchange.

What are jobs at a film festival?

Film festival jobs include professionals that work on film selection, marketing, public relations, or festival operations. As a member of the festival administrative staff, you may handle scheduling films and selling movie tickets. Your duties could include running admissions, guiding attendees and filmmakers to events, or providing catering and cleaning services. As a publicist, you work on marketing and public relations for the fest. Once you gain years of experience in event management, you can work as a film festival director. Your responsibilities in this role involve overseeing the entire event and selecting participating films. Film festivals may also have technical specialists to create websites and operate projection equipment in the theater.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a film festival coordinator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Film Festival Coordinator, you need strong organizational skills, event planning experience, and a background in arts management or a related field. Familiarity with event management software, ticketing platforms, and audiovisual systems is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and networking abilities set top coordinators apart in this dynamic environment. These skills ensure seamless festival operations, successful stakeholder engagement, and a memorable experience for attendees and filmmakers.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in film festival coordination?

Professionals in film festival coordination often encounter challenges related to tight deadlines, managing multiple stakeholders, and adapting to last-minute changes. They must juggle communications between filmmakers, sponsors, venues, and volunteers, all while ensuring a seamless event experience for attendees. Flexibility, strong organizational skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial for success in this dynamic environment. Collaboration and clear communication with a diverse team are also essential to handle the fast-paced nature of festival operations.

What is the difference between Film Festival vs Film Producer?

AspectFilm FestivalFilm Producer
Required CredentialsEvent management, marketing, industry knowledgeFilm production, project management, industry experience
Work EnvironmentEvent venues, conference settings, industry networking eventsFilm sets, offices, production sites
Employer & Industry UsageFilm festivals, cultural organizations, industry associationsFilm studios, production companies, independent filmmakers
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles are integral to the film industry, a film festival focuses on organizing events that showcase films, promote industry networking, and celebrate cinema. A film producer, on the other hand, is responsible for overseeing the creation and production of films from development to distribution. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and industry roles.

More about Film Festival jobs

What cities are hiring for Film Festival jobs?

Cities with the most Film Festival job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Film Festival jobs?

The most popular types of Film Festival jobs are:

What states have the most Film Festival jobs?

States with the most job openings for Film Festival jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Film Festival jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Film Festival jobs are:

Film Festival jobs near you
Infographic showing various Film Festival job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 20% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

2026 Mill Valley Film Festival House Manager

San Rafael, CA • On-site

California Film Institute
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about California Film Instituteexternal

$22/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

2026 Mill Valley Film Festival
Festival House Manager
Location: Mill Valley & San Rafael, CA (15 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge)
Status: Season with potential continuation after festival
Dates: Sept 28 - October 12, 2026
Compensation: $22/hour
About CAFILM:
CAFILM supports its mission to celebrate film as art and education by presenting the annual Mill Valley Film Festival and DocLands Documentary Film Festival, exhibiting film year-round at the non-profit Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, CA and Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley, CA, and building the next generation of filmmakers and film lovers through CAFILM Education. Founded in 1978, the Mill Valley Film Festival is a world-renowned 11-day event held every October, screening over 200 innovative US and international films for over 60,000 attendees. MVFF has a stellar reputation as a filmmakers' festival with a high-profile, prestigious, non-competitive environment celebrating the best in independent and world cinema in gorgeous Northern California.
About the job:
The Festival House Manager collaborates with Venue Staff and Line Managers to ensure safe theater operations and timely screening starts. This role is pivotal in delivering excellent customer service and managing venue entry and front of house operations throughout the film festival. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously. As the first point of contact for our patrons, the Festival House Manager will create the best possible experience for them by maintaining a friendly, helpful, and professional demeanor, and being well-versed in all areas of audience services.
Responsibilities:
  • Interface closely with the public, volunteers, projectionists, box office, other festival staff, filmmakers, and sponsors.
  • Collaborate with the Development department to meet sponsor and donor requirements.
  • Prepare the venue at the start of each day.
  • Check in with the Theater Operations/Venue Manager to receive a radio, review technical sheets, daily schedules, and show flows. Discuss any special occurrences such as filmmaker/talent arrivals, red carpets, and shows that are on RUSH or likely to go to RUSH.
  • Communicate with the Projectionist to confirm all films and trailers for the day are ready.
  • Set up reserve signs for the first show and prepare any signs for later shows.
  • Evaluate the daily schedule to manage start and end times effectively, especially during tight turnarounds.
  • Supervise volunteers, assigning them to assist with in-house theater duties.
  • Oversee volunteers in counting tickets and ballots (as needed) during screenings.
  • Manage audience traffic flow and maintain reserved seating areas.
  • Keep staff and customers informed of any festival updates and changes.
  • Coordinate show entries and exits with other managers via radio to ensure timely starts.
  • Oversee the theater doors during pre-show and trailers, and monitor the first five minutes of each feature to check sound levels and picture quality.
  • Assist with film introductions, managing microphones, and cuing filmmakers and programmers.
  • Oversee RUSH ticket sales and seating in conjunction with Box Office, determining the number of available tickets with Line Manager and guiding RUSH ticket holders with the help of volunteer ushers.
  • Conduct Q&A sessions and manage patron exit processes.
  • Oversee volunteers collect completed ballots at each theater exit (as needed), assist in cleaning the theater, and set up reserves for the next film.

Qualifications:
  • Proven experience in customer service or event management, preferably in a festival or theater setting.
  • Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure.
  • Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a professional demeanor.

The Festival House Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring that our patrons have a memorable and enjoyable experience at our film festival. If you are passionate about film, enjoy working with people, and excel in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit:
  • If you are interested, please send us an email with your resume attached to:

We look forward to hearing from you!
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment:
We strive for a culture where people feel like they are valued, can bring their whole selves to work free of oppression, injustice, harassment or discrimination, and that they experience belongingness through a common purpose. We are taking steps to ensure that the California Film Institute is a safe and equitable space for staff members, filmmakers and audiences alike by incorporating inclusivity, diversity and accessibility measures into our business plan and tangible KPIs to hold ourselves accountable to serve and engage diverse audiences through our work. We are also working to examine racial justice internally in order to drive self-discovery and best inform how we can change practices and utilize our voice and position within the community.
CAFILM is an equal opportunity employer to all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our policies prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on age, race, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

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