Volunteer

The Sarasota Film Festival is a non-profit 501©(3) organization. SFF uses volunteers year-round for a variety of projects, and our volunteer work force is key to the success of our annual 10-day Festival - this year, running April 9-18, 2010. Our volunteers are valued members of the team.

To apply to be a 2010 Sarasota Film Festival Volunteer, please click here to submit an online application.

Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

BOX OFFICE & CALL CENTER

The Box Office & Call Center are the heart of festival screenings and special events. You'll interact with all festival patrons and learn the festival schedule inside and out. SFF is seeking volunteers to work in Call Center taking ticket orders and offering information to callers. Box Office volunteers are needed to work as Customer Service Representatives - helping with tickets, serving as “docents” to patrons to help them find their way through the multiple films and events available and, in some cases, working behind the counter to process ticket sales.

WELCOME BOOTH & MERCHANDISE

Volunteers who work in the welcome booth and merchandise booth interact with festival goers by answering general festival questions and selling merchandise. Excellent customer service skills needed. Volunteers will assist the Festival Land Manager with various tasks and errands necessary for keeping all areas of Festival Land operating smoothly.

THEATER OPERATIONS

Volunteers assisting in Theater Operations will help with various technical aspects of the film screenings throughout the festival.

FRONT OF HOUSE

Auditorium and lobby staff-members set the stage for all screenings and ensure patrons get in and out of theaters efficiently and comfortably with everything they need. You will also make sure we get everything we need from our patrons, including completed ballots, surveys and audience response cards.

SPONSOR / FILMMAKER LOUNGE

As an SFF Ambassador at the Sponsor/Filmmaker Lounge, you will be there to make sure that only the appropriate guests are attending the party, as well as to answer guests questions about Festival events, film schedules, who's participating, etc. MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE to work in the Sponsor & Filmmaker Lounge.

GUEST SERVICES / TRANSPORTATION

Meet filmmakers, industry guests and celebrities while driving them to the places they need to go for the festival: airport, Hollywood 20, events, attractions, hotels. Requires excellent driving skills; outstanding interpersonal relations skills; neat and tidy appearance. SFF provides vehicles. All drivers must be at least 26 years of age. For insurance purposes, all Drivers are screened through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Requires personal interview prior to first shift.

SPONSOR RELATIONS

Volunteers helping with sponsor relations will serve as a liaison between sponsors and the film festival to ensure a positive experience for sponsors.

PRESS & INDUSTRY REGISTRATION

Volunteers in this position will need to be able to retain general knowledge of the Film Festival, as well as times and locations of daily screening, symposiums and events. Volunteers will be in charge of helping participating press through the registration process and providing them with appropriate press/industry packets.

OUTREACH & EDUCATION

Get involved in one of the fastest growing areas of the festival. Our exciting Education and Outreach programs exist to foster appreciation for the art of film and to support the creative visions of filmmakers and students. Interactive programs are developed to complement screenings with an emphasis on community engagement. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with Filmmakers Breakfast series, “In Focus Discussion” series, Family Film Screenings, weekday morning Kids Trips and our Filmmakers In the Classroom series. Jobs will include ushering, accommodating speakers, keeping seminars on schedule, and distributing educational material.

Please click here to submit an online application to be a 2010 Sarasota Film Festival Volunteer.