- Job Requirements: Must be local to location or willing to work as a local.
POSITION: Film Competition Director
START DATE: Mid-January 2021
WORK HOURS: Full time (In-person. No remote opportunities available. Applicants must be located in Texas.)
COMPENSATION: $47,000 + Benefits
ABOUT US: Austin Film Festival furthers the art and craft of storytelling by inspiring and championing the work of writers, filmmakers, and all artists who use written and visual language to tell a story.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Austin Film Festival Film Competition Director is expected to contribute to programming efforts for year-round events, and the headline festival week. This role must also aid in efforts towards realizing the overall forward creative direction and evolution of the film department, including overall organizational goals intrinsically tied to the Austin Film Festival mission. An ideal candidate would be someone who can appeal to and fully encompass the mission directive of finding new voices within storytelling as a bedrock trait. The Film Competition Director will also work directly with the Creative Director and other creative department heads to construct overall organization vision and strategy.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The Austin Film Festival Film Competition Director manages all film competitions from submissions to festival week exhibitions to filmmaker alumni relations.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities of the Film Competition Director include, but are not limited to:
COMPETITION LOGISTICS
Marketing and outreach to potential filmmakers for the competition and events
Manage key accounts and databases – FileMaker Pro, SQL, and FilmFreeway
Audit payment reports and submissions
PROGRAMMING & FESTIVAL
Manage department contract staff and interns
Program and assist with year-round screenings and events
Recruit and manage the Film Selection Committee
Screen films submitted to the competition
Work with Senior Film Program Director and Executive Director to select films for competition
Communication with filmmakers and organize filmmaker opportunities during the festival week
Schedule and orchestrate film premieres, screenings, and Q&As
DEPARTMENT LOGISTICS & ADMINISTRATIVE
Maintain all financial aspects of the film department, including creating budgets and keeping them in check
Continually monitor technology
Manage overall budget – income and expenses – and be accurately aware of staying in the black
Work closely with programmers and production team to accommodate all necessary technical preparations, and tracking tech trends in the festival market
Oversee all venue and equipment rentals and contractual obligations
Manage income projection for competition, film pass sales, individual ticket sales, and filmmaker badge sales
Sustain an active role in obtaining sponsorships and grants
Assist in auditing
Work with Development Director on sponsorship initiatives and be sure to always output correct sponsorship language to fulfill contractual obligations
Manage technology planning, execution and crisis management
Responsible for travel and transportation coordination for headliner films
Maintain communication for Festival PR and Marketing, including red carpet coordination
Oversee manpower during Festival
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field
Database management experience
Customer service experience
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Technical aptitude
Excellent organizational skills
Writing experience and general copywriting knowledge
Experience working with, communicating, and a leading a team
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Current resume with at least three references
Cover letter