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San Diego Film Festival

San Diego Film Festival

October 18th - 22nd, 2023

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several film festival volunteers at the festival

The Power of PERSPECTIVE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Join Our Team

We are looking for hundreds of talented, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to plan, promote, and produce events and support our guests year-round and during the Festival.

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Box Office Team

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

Certified Bartender

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.

Customer Service Team

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.

Events Team

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 Moderation

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. You must have some kind of experience to assist you with this type of work.

Events Logistics

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).

Management/Team Leader

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.

Office Staffing

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.

Marketing/Promotion

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 Team

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 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.

Photography Team

Our dedicated team of volunteer photographers document the festival with red carpet photos of guests, receptions, Q&As, panels, parties, events, and displays. Their photos are used on our website, in newsletters and emails to our subscribers, and our social media.

Tech Team

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

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.

Social Media Team

Takes photos with their cell phone, making note of guest names, and if you have suggestion for copy great, but not mandatory. You will receive a shot list. Upload all info nightly to your team lead.

Theater Operations/Usher

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.

Videography Team

Shoot Q&A as well as B-Roll, and red carpet interviews with filmmakers. Upload

Volunteer Coordinator

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.

Become An SD Film Fest Volunteer

What Our Volunteers Are Saying…

Volunteering for the San Diego International Film Festival has been an excellent experience celebrating the power of film, culinary creativity and impactful filmmakers. SDiFF transcends cultural diversities while expanding the human spirit all through the power of film.

Volunteering for SDiFF is so satisfying on a giving level and inspiring on a creative level—everyone is kind and fun! I have made life long friends that I cherish.

I volunteer for the film festival because I am passionate about supporting the arts and promoting the works of talented filmmakers, while also being a part of creating a memorable and inclusive experience for movie-goers. I believe in the power of film to bring people together and inspire meaningful discussions and I want to contribute to making that experience possible for others.

Volunteering was super fun and everyone I worked with was awesome!

ABOUT US

The Power of Perspective.
Come Watch with Us. 
The San Diego International Film Festival produced by the San Diego Film Foundation, is the region’s premier showcase for outstanding U.S. and International independent filmmaking.

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Film Festivals are a great way to unite a community and provide a platform for filmmakers and film goers to come together, learn from each other and celebrate film.

Tonya Mantooth, CEO & Artistic Director, San Diego International Film Festival

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