Attention short film fans! We’re looking for a passionate Director of Programming to join our team! This role will curate an exciting showcase of BC's best short films, while taking leadership within and giving back to the Vancouver film community.

Sounds like you? Read more below:

About Us

Since the organization’s inception as the Vancouver Student Short Film Festival in 2005, and it’s 2009 rebrand as the Vancouver Short Film Festival, the festival has been proud to deliver up 50 short films over three days of screenings annually, with networking events, filmmaker initiatives, and awards up to $15,000 in cash and prizes to BC’s best shorts.

We hope to build ties between emerging and established professionals, and provide an arena where all short filmmakers, including students, can screen their films in public and support their fellow colleagues.

Our ultimate goal is to connect short filmmakers to a broader audience in order to grow the local film industry.

The 11th Vancouver Short Film Festival will be held in January 2021 and we are looking for committed staff members to add to our stellar volunteer team. We are dedicated to working hard to showcase the best shorts in BC, we love watching movies, and most importantly, we like to have fun.

Director of Programming

Duration: July 2020 – January 2021 Part-Time volunteer commitment with fluctuating schedule depending on the season (busiest months are September-October-November and January)

As the Director of Programming, you will lead the curation of the film programmes that comprise the 2021 Vancouver Short Film Festival. You will assess submitted short film content, curate films as part of the festival’s Official Selection, and deliver a schedule of programming that meets VSFF’s mandate of celebrating the best of BC short film and elevating emerging talent in order to grow the local film industry.

Duties include:

-Watch and assess short film content submitted to VSFF during our submission period (quantity of content to screen varies per year)

-Intake, analyze and assess film ratings/reviews received from the VSFF pre-screening team to help inform programming decisions

-Work with Festival Co-Directors to determine programming goals for the festival and develop concrete paths forward to achieve these goals, for both short term (one year) and long term (multi-year) contexts

-Assemble VSFF’s short film programmes for the 2021 event with guidelines from the Festival Co-Directors, including film selection, program orders, schedule, etc.

-Assist in drafting acceptance letters, rejection letters to submitted filmmakers as required

-Draft statements on VSFF festival programming for press releases, festival promotion, and press interviews, and participate in interviews with media leading up to the festival as requested

-At times, support the Festival Directors in developing industry programming (speakers, networking events, etc) where these event needs intersect with your position

-Stay actively engaged in the Vancouver/BC film industry and BC/Canadian film festival circuits, staying informed and current on industry standards and trends

-Act as a representative of VSFF within the community, attending or participating in festivals, screenings, and networking events as available, with the intent of growing VSFF’s network and continuing to develop VSFF’s relationship with the Vancouver film industry and community

-Attend Programming meetings or festival staff meeting as required

-Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

You:

• Are passionate about film and the arts community in BC, and attend film festivals, screenings, and arts events on a regular basis.

• Hold a post-secondary degree in Film Studies or Production, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Possess a minimum of four (4) years experience working in Film Production, Film Studies, Festival Production, and/or Festival Programming.

• Possess strong analytical and evaluative skills, and a strong attention to detail

• Possess strong ability to follow through on tasks and projects from concept to execution

• Possess cultural and community awareness in analyzing film works from the community

• Are organized and have good verbal and written communication skills.

• Have access to the Internet, phone, and Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Have been exposed to a wide range of genres of cinema and are able to find strengths in most films.

Prior programming experience at another film festival or arts event is a strong asset.

Benefits

In exchange for your invaluable work, you will receive:

• A pass to the festival

• A reference letter from the Chair of the Board, if requested

• Recognition in the official VSFF programme and website

• The opportunity to maintain the position in subsequent festivals

To apply:

• Send a copy of your resume and cover letter to director@vsff.com.

Deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview.

For more information on the VSFF, please visit www.vsff.com.