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Remote Film Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Recent Dreamwave events over the last year have included Sundance Film Festival, a virtual music ... Active Theory is seeking a backend developer and DevOps hybrid to help build out the underlying ...

Recent Dreamwave events over the last year have included Sundance Film Festival, a virtual music ... Active Theory is seeking a backend developer and DevOps hybrid to help build out the underlying ...

Art Director, Campaigns

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site +1

$102K - $140K/yr

Company Description It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious ... Projects will vary, from film to social to digital and beyond, and you'll work with both internal ...

Art Director, Campaigns

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site +1

$102K - $140K/yr

Company Description It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious ... Projects will vary, from film to social to digital and beyond, and you'll work with both internal ...

Art Director, Campaigns

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site +1

$102K - $140K/yr

Company Description It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious ... Projects will vary, from film to social to digital and beyond, and you'll work with both internal ...

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Remote Film Programmer information

What is a remote film programmer?

Remote film programmers are professionals who curate, select, and organize films for festivals, streaming platforms, or special screenings, all while working from a remote location. Their job involves researching films, communicating with filmmakers and distributors, and creating thematic programs or lineups. They often watch large numbers of films online, evaluate submissions, and collaborate with event organizers to shape the viewing experience for audiences. Working remotely allows them to connect with international film communities and participate in programming for organizations around the world.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote film programmer?

To thrive as a Remote Film Programmer, you need expertise in film history and curation, strong analytical skills, and experience with programming or managing film lineups. Familiarity with digital screening platforms, film database systems, and possibly certifications in film studies or arts management are valuable. Excellent communication, organizational abilities, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for collaborating with filmmakers, audiences, and team members remotely. These competencies ensure thoughtful film selection, smooth virtual event execution, and engaging audience experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by remote film programmers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Remote film programmers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with international film distributors across multiple time zones, ensuring clear communication with festival teams, and efficiently evaluating large volumes of film submissions. To manage these, strong organizational skills, proactive communication through digital platforms, and maintaining a well-structured review process are essential. Building strong relationships with colleagues and filmmakers via regular virtual meetings also helps streamline programming decisions and fosters a collaborative remote work environment.

What is the difference between Remote Film Programmer vs Remote Film Curator?

AspectRemote Film ProgrammerRemote Film Curator
CredentialsFilm studies, programming experience, industry knowledgeFilm studies, curation experience, industry knowledge
Work EnvironmentFilm festivals, cinemas, online platformsMuseums, festivals, online platforms
Industry UsageFilm festivals, streaming services, cultural eventsMuseums, cultural institutions, festivals

Both roles involve selecting and organizing films, often requiring similar credentials and industry experience. The main difference lies in focus: Remote Film Programmers primarily select films for festivals or platforms, while Remote Film Curators focus on creating thematic collections and contextualizing films within cultural or artistic narratives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Film Programmer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Film Programmer jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Film Programmer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Film Programmer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Film Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Film Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Film Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution.

Film and VFX Expert - Fully Remote | Upto $90/hr

Mercor

San Francisco, CA โ€ข Remote

$90/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Visual Quality Expert (Film, VFX & Animation)
Type: Contract
Compensation: $60–$90/hour
Location: Remote
Commitment: 20 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Evaluate high-resolution video and stills at the pixel level. Identify compression artifacts, noise, aliasing, banding, grain-structure inconsistency, and over- or under-sharpening.
  • Apply an uncompromising focus on intricate details. Flag outputs diverging from professional image-quality standards.
  • Design and refine evaluation templates and rating guidelines. Ensure consistent application of visual-quality standards, including edge cases.
  • Translate complex visual details into clear, precise descriptive language. Capture these in data captions and evaluation templates.
  • Generate your own visual samples for targeted testing and side-by-side comparison.
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts and program leads. Maintain visual consistency across sequences and reviewers.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • 5+ years of professional experience in high-end visual evaluation across film, VFX, animation, or professional photography.
  • Direct professional experience in at least one discipline: Visual Effects (VFX) Supervisor, Rendering Supervisor, Lighting Supervisor, Colorist, Director of Photography (DP), Effects or Surfacing Artist, High-End Photographer, Director, or Digital Projectionist.
  • Training from a university or program with a highly respected film, visual effects, or digital media program.
  • Reliable access to a 4K-resolution monitor or display for precise, pixel-level evaluation.
  • Familiarity with AI tools and workflows. Ability to generate your own visual samples for testing and comparison.
  • Ability to engage reliably for 20 hours per week, with working hours overlapping the PST to EST window.
  • Fluent in English. Exceptional ability to translate complex visual details into clear, precise descriptive language.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.