Communications

Communications Intern

The Communications team at SFFILM is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented, and web-savvy individual to provide promotional support for its upcoming public programs, including the 2020 San Francisco International Film Festival. This is an excellent opportunity to gain marketing experience at a nonprofit arts organization and top-tier film festival, providing well-rounded exposure to the production of print and digital publications and social media as well as the communications strategies behind the organization’s events outreach. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who approaches a variety of communications tasks with a positive attitude and follow-through.

This position will require some evening/weekend availability and increased hours during the SFFILM Festival (April 8–21, 2020). Spring internships run from early February to May 2020. Deadline to apply is January 15, 2020.

Responsibilities

Provide direct administrative support to the Communications Coordinator, Digital Strategy Manager, and Director of Marketing.
Aggregate and organize marketing assets for Festival and institutional programs (i.e., social media links to coverage of participating films).
Assist with the content management of select social media channels, especially the organization’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vimeo accounts as well as the SFFILM blog (Medium).
Perform data entry (FileMaker Pro), edit and format copy for the Festival website and program guide.
Edit images for web and print, working in Photoshop.
Conduct research and initiate contact with new community partners and potential distribution hubs.
Help to coordinate collateral distribution at Festival venues.
Provide production assistance and customer service at SFFILM events.
Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Extremely detail-oriented.
Ability to take both instruction and initiative while working with minimal supervision.
Superior communication skills, both orally and in writing.
Great phone manner. Cold calling experience a plus.
Proficiency in FileMaker Pro, Photoshop, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), Google apps.
Familiarity with HTML or proficient web publishing skills desired but not required. CMS is WordPress.
Experience with social media platforms an asset.
Professional and friendly demeanor. Interns represent SFFILM when speaking with customers and community members.
Demonstrated interest in contemporary film or arts & culture.
Minimum commitment of 8–12 hours per week (two or three days a week) and availability to work some evenings and weekends.
Familiarity with San Francisco Bay Area geography a plus.
Fluency in English required.

Publicity Intern

The SFFILM Communications department is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented and web-savvy individual to aid in the publicizing of all SFFILM programs and events. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on publicity experience at a top-ranked film festival, and provides well-rounded exposure to press outreach strategies in digital and traditional media. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who approaches a variety of communications-related tasks with a positive attitude and consistent follow-through.

Working under the supervision of the Press Office Manager and Press Office Coordinator, learn how the SFFILM Press Office operates by assisting in, preparing for, and executing publicity campaigns for the 61st San Francisco International Film Festival (April 8–21, 2020) and other year-round SFFILM programs.

This position may require some evening/weekend availability. Spring internships run from early February to May 2020. Deadline to apply is January 15, 2020.

Responsibilities

Conduct research into special interest media outlets.
Contact press to initiate contact and pitch coverage.
Gather and organize materials for film programs such as images, press kits and synopses.
Provide press materials to media contacts and facilitate interviews.
Maintain video library including tracking secure screening links and checking them out to press and staff.
Enter and update data (mailing lists, contact info, etc.) in institutional databases.
Organize, track and process press clippings and assist with ongoing clippings archive project.
Develop and draft press releases and press kits.
Provide onsite event support at festival venues, including screenings, receptions and special events.
Assist with miscellaneous projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Flexible, energetic, detail-oriented team players.
Good organizational skills.
A passion for cinema.
Experience with FileMaker Pro, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Google apps.
Great writing and telephone skills essential.
Knowledge of a second language is a plus.

Festival Publicist

The Festival Publicist is responsible for working with local and national media outlets to publicize the 63rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 8–21, 2020).

This is a full-time, temporary position that runs from February 17 – April 24, 2020.

Responsibilities

Researching and updating contact information for journalists in database.
Working with assigned media contacts (80+) to generate preview coverage and set up advance interviews.
Becoming familiar with festival program and developing niche pitches.
Writing press releases, pitches, and media alerts.
Working press screenings.
Actively pitching stories to national and local contacts ahead of and during the festival.
Actively pitching stories to attending journalists, and facilitating interviews with festival spokespersons and filmmakers.
Covering festival Press Office, providing information and materials to accredited journalists as requested.
Working red carpets, screenings, and events to facilitate press access and maximize coverage opportunities.
Keeping detailed notes on each assigned journalist in database for future reference.
Tracking coverage and assisting with clippings processing.
Writing a detailed wrap report.

Qualifications

At least two years of experience in film publicity; experience in a festival environment a plus, Bay Area contacts a plus.
Superior communication skills, both written and verbal.
Proven ability to multitask effectively and manage a large group of active contacts with time-sensitive needs.
Ability to pitch a film you haven’t seen.
Extreme attention to detail.
Experience with database systems.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Passion for cinema a plus.

Press Office Coordinator

The Press Office Coordinator is responsible for coordination and administrative support of all activities of the Press Office leading up to and during the 63rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 8–21, 2020).

This is a full-time, temporary position that runs from February 10 – May 1, 2020.

Responsibilities

Managing media accreditation process (200-250 applications), including outlet review/investigation, communication of approval/denial, and credential production.
Managing communication with film teams, studios, and distributors around press access for screeners and other press materials.
Collecting, organizing, and processing press materials for all SFFILM Festival films, including screeners, images, press kits, and clips.
Leading setup of press download site, including upload of 1000+ individual assets for 3/14 program announcement.
Overseeing team of 2-3 interns who contribute to materials processing and coverage tracking, assisting their training in publicity outreach.
Managing screener checkout system, for staff and press.
Assisting in execution of press conference and press screenings.
Facilitating move to Festival offices, setup of interview space.
Managing operation of Festival Press Office, including staff/intern schedules.
Writing press releases for SFFILM Festival programs as needed.
Working screenings, events, red carpets, and receptions as needed.
Working with small media group based on interest.
Overseeing coverage tracking and clippings processing.

Qualification

Extreme attention to detail.
Ability to wrangle and organize thousands of individual assets (images, press kits, bios, video files, screening links) in a coherent and accessible manner.
Experience working with journalists and film teams, studios and distributors.
Superior communication skills, both email and phone.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Proven ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
Experience with Filemaker preferred.
Passion for cinema a plus.

Festival Graphic Designer

SFFILM is a leading film arts nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Communications team at SFFILM is seeking a hard-working and creative Festival Graphic Designer to assist in the creation of visual assets for the 63rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 8–21, 2020). The Festival Graphic Designer works closely with the Graphic Designer and Directors of Marketing and Communications to produce a wide array of media that advances the mission and brand of SFFILM through creative, strategic, and top-notch design.

This is a full-time, temporary position that runs from January 20 – April 10, 2020.

Responsibilities

Support the design and creation of all print and digital assets for the 63rd San Francisco International Film Festival.
Assist in design and layout of Festival program guide, a 60+-page print book detailing 150 screening events.
Create materials for Festival events, from digital invitations to printed mini-programs.
Produce digital, print, and outdoor advertising, from full-page spreads in distributed publications to re-skins of national websites to billboards and transit advertising.
Create print and digital signage, from directional posters used in theater venues to onscreen slideshows projected before screenings.
Produce digital graphics and banners to be used on social media and in email communications.
Build mock-ups for Communications team members to better visualize and present projects to be tasked to external partners.
Create other print and digital collateral as needed, including pitch decks, brochures, flyers, and more.
Implement consistent brand identity across a diverse array of materials.
Manage multiple projects from concept to completion, adhering to strict deadlines.

Qualifications

2-3 years of relevant professional experience.
A working understanding of layout, type, and color.
Proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator (intermediate level or above).
Able to both take instructions and initiative.
Enthusiastic and passionate with an eye for detail.
Superior file management skills (tracking and archiving).
Hardworking and professional with a balanced temperament and good sense of humor.
Organized and deadline-driven team-player capable of picking up and applying new skills in a fast-paced environment.