This team is responsible for ticket and festival pass sales at venue locations and box offices and providing high-quality service for guests.

The venues require all of our bartenders to have completed a certified bartender online course. But this is a great way to be involved with events as there aren’t a lot of event shifts available during fest week as most are filled by team leads. Online courses are avail at http://www.learn2serve.com/California-responsible-beverage-service-training. $12.50 for this course will be reimbursed to you at your first shift.

If you are engaging and consider yourself a people person, this is a good team for you to greet, direct, and assist patrons with questions.

For our large events, the events team typically starts with setup, assists during the event, and then helps load out event. If you prefer a shorter shift, you can volunteer in the festival lounge, where festival guests can go to relax between films. It has a bar, snacks, place to lounge. You would help check passes at entry, assist with keeping lounge in order and well stocked.

Film Moderators run the Q&As that take place after many of our films with either the producer, writer, director, actors, etc. They keep the discussion going and assist the flow of information and entertainment. Please include a link on the application with any related work experience.

The Event Logistics Team assists in making sure all supplies are delivered to each venue for festival and party setup. And assists with load out of each venue. Assisting with organizing items after they are dropped onsite. This team manages set-up and tear-down at each venue and event location. A big part of our needs are on the opening and closing days of the festival (Tuesday or Wednesday day and especially Sunday night).

Every one of our teams will need a manager to oversee the big picture, as well as Coordinators who will assist them in managing each venue. These teams are all managed by volunteers, these are not paid positions. This is a fantastic way to participate in the festival from the inside! These teams are Theater Ops, Box Office, Customer Service, Marketing, Videography, Photography, Events, Volunteer Management, Logistics, etc. (Other teams are run by interns like Film Office and Production.) Managers are asked to attend monthly management meetings that start in July, assist with shift volunteers at the Orientations in September, and attend a Venue Walk Thru in October prior to the festival dates. 

The majority of managers take a vacation day off so they can assist starting Thursday night through Sunday night. But there is certainly flexibility re dates depending on which team you select and what your schedule looks like.

This team takes some training so we prefer you can take a minimum of three shifts. But you assist behind the scenes which gives a more in depth and intimate festival experience. Assist in office during fest week, and move with the festival team to all events! Answer fest phones, print badges, stuff gift bags, etc.

The Marketing team is mainly filled by interns who participate in a variety of projects including PR, grassroots promotion, design projects, social media, copywriting and design work.

Panels run Thursday, Friday and Saturday during fest week so weekday availability is of course key. Our panels team acts as a hybrid of events and theater ops, setting up event space, assisting guests, and reports to the Panels Team Manager. Location for our panels is at the Pendry downtown, and we ony need four volunteers for each event so this is a small team.

Patron Concierge will provide top level customer service to the Patron Circle supporters. They must be great communicators, confident, and problem-solvers. We would like you to be well dressed to make a good first impression.

Use your own professional camera and equipment to capture high-quality images of the festival, including both outdoor activities and indoor theater events. You’ll follow a provided shot list and be responsible for photographing attendees, Q&As,  parties, displays and general atmosphere. Note guest names when possible. Photos will be used for live coverage and stored for post-event marketing. Upload all images and notes to your team lead at the end of each day.

Volunteers must have:
• Their own DSLR or mirrorless camera and gear (no phone photography)
• Experience shooting in both outdoor light and indoor low-light environments
• Ability to follow a shot list and work in a fast-paced environment
• Basic photo editing skills
• Enough memory cards and battery capacity for full-day coverage
• Comfort moving through crowds and capturing candid moments

Our tech team does all things that have to do with technology at the festival. Everything from setup box office equipment and wifi at each festival location to projection equipment.

Safety crew volunteers will be posted at key areas during our busiest events in order to give access to those who are allowed entrance but to make sure only those with the correct badges enter. Must have good decision making and people skills in order to be friendly yet firm. A few shifts available for ID checking for the Friday Night party as well. You will be briefed on all safety measures and emergency numbers on who to contact in case of an emergency.

Use your phone to capture photos and short videos throughout the festival. You’ll follow a shot list and edit content on the spot for live posting. Content will also be saved for post-event marketing. This is a fast-paced, on-site role—you’ll need to be comfortable creating and editing content quickly during the event. Upload all photos, videos, and notes to your team lead at the end of each day.

Volunteers should have:
• A smartphone with a good camera
• Photo/video editing apps (e.g., CapCut, InShot, Lightroom Mobile)
• Familiarity with current social media trends (Reels, TikTok, Stories, etc.)
• Enough phone storage and a portable charger
• Willingness to move around and engage with guests
• Ability to work quickly and manage time well

Theater Operation/Ushers volunteers ensure events run smoothly, by organizing and managing guest flow at venues. Volunteers greet guests, direct them to correct lines and theaters, collect tickets, usher to seats, and collect ballots.

ideography Volunteer

Capture high-quality video footage of the festival for B-roll and sizzle reels that will be used for post-event promotional materials. You’ll film performances, crowd shots, interviews, and other key moments across both outdoor and indoor venues. This role requires you to have experience in both shooting and editing on-site to deliver quick, rough-cut footage for later use. All footage must be uploaded to your team lead by the end of each day.

Volunteers must have:
• Ability to work independently while following general shot guidelines
• Their own video equipment (DSLR/mirrorless cameras, stabilizers, mics, etc.)
• Experience shooting in both outdoor lighting and indoor theater settings
• Basic video editing skills for quick on-site edits
• Sufficient memory cards, batteries, and storage for full-day filming
• Ability to shoot and capture smooth, cinematic footage in fast-paced environments
• Familiarity with B-roll techniques and shooting for post-production sizzle reels

We need two people to assist with volunteer sign in/out at, have a place to pick up volunteer t-shirts, grab a quick snack and a kind word, offer information.