Artist Development

Director of Artist Development

Overview

The Director of Artist Development oversees all artist programs, including the robust suite of activities associated with SFFILM’s areas of granting, fellowships, and residencies. A significant aspect of this position involves being a leader and mentor to the Bay Area filmmaking community. Within SFFILM’s structure, this is a highly collaborative position that includes work with SFFILM’s Programming, Communications, Strategic Partnerships, and Development departments. The Director works closely with all department heads on strategic planning and organizational leadership.

The application deadline is Tuesday April 14, 2020. Please email resume and cover letter to hr@sffilm.org to apply.

Responsibilities

Hire and manage all SFFILM Artist Development staff and personnel (3 to 4 year-round full-time employees and 1 to 2 seasonal employees)
Build upon existing creative mentorship program for narrative and documentary grants and residency recipients
- Recruit and retain local and national creative leaders to function as producing mentors to filmmakers
Strategically build and manage a cohesive vision for the Makers program portfolio which includes:
- FilmHouse Residency Program
- FilmHouse Programming and Events
- SFFILM Invest
- SFFILM Rainin Filmmaking Grant: grantmaking, project development, residencies
- SFFILM Sloan inclusive of Screenwriting Fellowship and Early Development Fund – grantmaking, project development, residencies
- SFFILM Documentary Film Fund: grantmaking, project development
- SFFILM Westridge Fund: grantmaking, project development, program mentorship
- One-off fellowships, inclusive of New American Fellowship, Vulcan Fellowship, Dolby, Djerassi Screenwriting Fellowship, and the Untitled Rachel Holbrook project
Maintain and nurture relationships with all current SFFILM Makers funders.
Identify relationships with potential future SFFILM Makers funders. Advise on cultivation and stewardship strategy in collaboration with the Development team.
Work closely with Communications department on Artist Development’s integration into Comms strategy, especially as it relates to SFFILM supported films.
Oversee daily FilmHouse programming and SFFILM Invest programs during the SFFILM Festival.
Guide strategic holistic planning of Makers activities including filmmaker presentations, industry and artist led talks, masterclasses, and panels.
Lead SFFILM Invest program and manage SFFILM Invest producer.
Foster and maintain strategic relationships with partner organizations, industry professionals, and key talent; leverage these relationships for Makers activities.
Represent SFFILM in the Bay Area and nationally at festivals, markets, conferences, and industry events; be a public facing advocate for SFFILM and the Makers program.
Participate in SFFILM external grant reviews and internal grant reviews for Westridge Grant.
Develop and monitor annual budget in conjunction with Finance Department.
Attend SFFILM Board Meetings; engage with the SFFILM Board, in particular the Board Chairs of the Artist Development Committee.
Represent Artist Development department at SFFILM’s weekly Budget & Planning meetings.
Develop one-, three-, and five-year funding strategy for Artist Development in collaboration with Managing Director and Executive Director

Preferred Skills

Legal authorization to work in the United States.
3+ years of leadership experience within an arts nonprofit or a film production/development company or film project equivalent.
Clear leadership and the ability to build strong relationships and teams while working across the organization in order to drive results.
A desire to work closely with artists and filmmakers in supporting their work and careers through the program.
Experience and familiarity in working with high level donors and sponsors in conjunction with the Development team.
Experience and knowledge of the independent film industry and the wider media landscape, including new and emerging technologies, and trends around distribution, engagement, and outreach is preferred. Experience working with organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area is highly valued.
A genuine passion for and excitement about SFFILM’s not-for-profit mission, and a culture defined by collaboration, curiosity, and creativity.
Commitment to collaborative, team-driven work.
Ability to design and articulate a creative vision for the overall program and organization.

FilmHouse Venue Manager

Artist Development is SFFILM’s full-service filmmaker support department in the areas of residencies, grants, fellowships, project development, events, and consultation with hundreds of projects on its books in all stages of production. Through FilmHouse, not only are free residencies provided to filmmakers, the department hosts multiple professional development workshops, talks, and events each month. Through the grants program, Artist Development awards filmmakers nearly $1 million per year for exceptional and innovative narrative and documentary feature projects.

The FilmHouse Venue Manager will be in charge of Artist Development’s year-round residency space, FilmHouse, for all events during the festival. This position will oversee event prep, room setup, run of show, and breakdown for one to two events per day at FilmHouse during 10 festival days. The Venue Manager will report directly to Artist Development staff.

This is a full-time, temporary role from April 6 – April 21, 2020.

Responsibilities

Manage FilmHouse as a venue for all Festival related panels, workshops, meetings and events.
Work with Artist Development staff to assist with any items that need to be moved, cleaned, organized, etc. at FilmHouse before, during, and after the Festival.
Coordinate with Festival Production Manager to request and return any production items.
Set up and break down FilmHouse every day of programming during the festival including seating configurations, setting out coffee/beverages and food spreads, cleaning up, taking out trash and recycling.
Work with FilmHouse Event Manager and guest speakers to ensure all events needs are met.
Operate all tech needs through the FilmHouse PA system (mics, etc.).
Coordinate with Tech Manager for additional tech needs (e.g. lav mics).
PA work, able to lift at least 40 lbs.
Confirm and work with volunteers to make sure they have what they need (additional supplies, getting more alcohol from storage, etc.).
Run quick errands to get any miscellaneous items (no car needed). Collect and submit all receipts to Artist Development staff.
Receive deliveries for SFFILM at FilmHouse (food, sponsor items, etc.) and keep track of all supply inventory.
Other duties as assigned.
Flexible schedule required.

Qualifications

2+ years operations experience.
Strong organizational and coordination skills.
Ability to quickly problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
Experience with directing and managing others.
Comfort and ability to run tech for venue.
Excellent customer service manner and professional demeanor.
Ability to lift chairs and move tables (up to 50 lbs).
Positive attitude.
Festival operations background preferred.

Artist Development Intern

The Artist Development intern will learn how a large arts organization supports individual filmmakers by assisting with the day-to-day operations of the department. Tasks will include support with: FilmHouse events, grants administration, project research, data entry, and other duties as assigned.

SFFILM spring internships run from February to May 2020. Deadline to apply is January 15, 2020.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to the department (maintain filmmaker files, conduct reports, analyze data, compile statistics).
Participate in Internal Grant Review Committees.
Compile information for grant review panels.
Take notes during grant review panels (this is a great learning experience to see how grants are awarded).
Assist with planning and execution of FilmHouse events such as receptions, workshops, panels and meetings with filmmakers
Event support for SFFILM Festival events.
Assist with the department’s social media presence.
Support Artist Development Coordinator in other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Detail-oriented.
Ability to take instruction and also take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
Research and data entry skills.
Excellent customer service manner and professional demeanor.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Word).
Passion for film and a good sense of humor.
Good writing and telephone skills essential.
Knowledge of a second language is a plus.
Minimum commitment of 8 hours per week (preferably over two days) for at least 3 months.
Organizational skills.
Physically able to lift chairs and move tables (up to 50 lbs).
Comfortable helping coordinate and staff events.
Willingness to present well and interact with high level donors, if necessary.
Some schedule flexibility is appreciated, but not required.
Desire to learn about Artist Development programs and SFFILM as an organization.

Invest & Artist Development Coordinator

Overview

SFFILM’s Coordinator of Invest & Artist Development assists with the planning and execution of programs within SFFILM Makers and Invest. Working primarily at SFFILM’s FilmHouse location in North Beach, the Coordinator supports the operational, administrative, financial, and programmatic components of Artist Development activities and the SFFILM Invest program.

SFFILM Invest is an exclusive program that presents a curated slate of film projects with potential funders. This program is entering its second full year and will include approximately thirty funding members and eight film projects. Working closely with the SFFILM Invest Producer, this position works closely with both funding members and filmmakers to coordinate meetings, travel, and all other Invest activities.

This is a full-time temporary role from January 6 – May 22, 2020.

Principal Responsibilities

SFFILM Invest (50%):

Coordinate all Invest activities and support general administration of the program
Schedule emails, phone calls, and in person meetings for Invest Members and SFFILM staff and filmmakers
Organize and book travel — including flights, hotels, and entertainment — for visiting filmmakers and industry guests for SFFILM Invest
Oversee logistics and venue manage events tied to SFFILM Invest. Responsibilities may include setting up and breaking down events, requesting and managing volunteers, coordinating food/beverage needs, and running tech as needed
Work closely with all other SFFILM departments to oversee execution of Invest deliverables within the framework of org-wide project management tools and department timelines
From San Francisco offices, support SFFILM Invest activities happening at Sundance and facilitate any necessary preparation for these events
Serve as initial point of contact for information about SFFILM Invest via phone, email, and in-person queries from prospective applicants
Manage invitation lists, tickets, and RSVPs for SFFILM Invest events and screenings
Support preparation for and on-site execution of the following Invest program events:

Mon, Jan 13: SFFILM Invest Orientation, 4-7pm
Jan 23 – Feb 2: Sundance Film Festival (no on-site execution for this, only remote support and preparation)
Mon Jan 27: Makers Party and SFFILM Invest Dinner at Sundance (no on-site execution for this, only remote support and preparation)
Thu Feb 20: Artist Salon
Thu Mar 12: Industry Talk
Wed April 8 – Wed April 22: SFFILM Festival (with many Invest screenings/talks)
Thu April 9: Invest Dinner at the SFFILM Festival
Fri April 10: Doc Congress & SFFILM Invest Industry Talks
Thu April 30: Slate 3 Reveal
Wed/Thu May 20 – 21: Filmmaker Meetings

Artist Development Programs (40%):

Work closely with the Artist Development Manager: Film Funds on the administration of the grant review process and management of film fund programs
Participate in Artist Development grant application review panels, including reviewing applications for at least one grant cycle each month
Coordinate room bookings for Artist Development grant review panels; take lunch orders from reviewers and place order; prep review room and clean up after review
Support operational, administrative and communications needs in Basecamp, SFFILM’s org-wide project management platform
Assist in preparation and on-site execution of FilmHouse events and panels
Support administration of Artist Development meetings when requested, including taking minutes and recording action items
Help to maintain databases of film projects and filmmaker relationships, including data entry as needed, in DonorPerfect, Filemaker, Airtable, and Eventbrite

Marketing & Communications (10%):

Coordinate project-based marketing work for SFFILM Makers and Invest as needed
Support outreach for grants and submissions with partner organizations, universities, film industry peers, film groups, and publications
When requested, post on Mobilize (the SFFILM Makers message board) to advertise FilmHouse panels, partner events, and filmmaker opportunities

Qualifications:

Highly organized and detail-oriented
Experience working within the constraints of a limited budget
Strong communication skills with a clear, gracious, and professional manner
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under time constraints
A genuine team-player who is excited about the opportunity to wear many hats
Interest in expanding skill-set to become proficient in all systems and protocols for both Artist Development and across other divisions within SFFILM
Excellent computer skills, including: Outlook, Word, and Excel. Experience with Basecamp or other project management tool a big plus
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for SFFILM Invest events and FilmHouse programs (two to three times per month, on average).
Ability to work all evenings and weekends during the SFFILM Festival (April 8 – 22)
Interest in film and media a big plus!