SFFILM

The Bay Area's home for the world's finest films and filmmakers.

Communications

Press Office Coordinator

Overview

The Press Office Coordinator is responsible for coordination and administrative support of all activities of the Press Office leading up to and during the 2019 San Francisco International Film Festival (April 10–23, 2019).This is a full-time temporary position from February 4 to May 3, 2019.

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

Qualifications

  • 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

Festival Publicist

Overview

The Festival Publicist is responsible for working with local and national media outlets to publicize the 62nd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 10–23, 2019). This is a full-time temporary position from early February to late April.

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

Press Office Manager

Overview

SFFILM is a leading film arts nonprofit based in the the San Francisco Bay Area. The Press Office Manager is a dynamic, organized, highly personable, and self-directed Public Relations professional. This role requires high attention to detail, as well as a commitment to follow-through and execution. The right candidate will be excited to manage a team of four direct reports, liaise with studios and PR firms, and organize media access to SFFILM events. Most of all, this person will have a proven track record in capturing an organization’s brand voice across all media and writing projects. This is a full time temporary position.

Responsibilities

  • Gather and organize publicity materials for all SFFILM programs
  • Pitch SFFILM programs and events to press contacts, including organizing interviews
  • Facilitate all on-site press coverage at SFFILM events, such as managing press access, overseeing red carpets, and setting up interviews
  • Manage entire Press Office team during the Spring, including schedules and assignments. Direct reports include the Press Office Coordinator and two Publicists
  • Hire, train and oversee Press Office interns
  • Manage the content of Press page on the SFFILM website
  • Write press releases for SFFILM programs
  • Design and develop tools to deliver materials, track coverage and compile accurate statistics regarding publicity performance
  • Liaise with studios, PR firms, and talent around SFFILM programs and events, including coordinating social media needs
  • Coordinate schedules of photographers and video capture teams at year-round programs and during the Festival
  • Manage external PR firms and consultants as needed
  • Support Communications Manager in maintenance of the Communications department’s Editorial Calendar

Qualifications

  • 2-3 years’ experience in a similar position is strongly encouraged, preferably in an arts-related environment
  • Attention to detail, significant diplomacy skills, consummate professionalism, ability to multitask, and prioritize competing responsibilities, with grace under pressure
  • Open to working off-business hours occasionally as needed, especially around SFFILM events
  • Ability to maintain utmost discretion and confidentiality
  • Adept at anticipating problems before they arise and juggling multiple priorities at once
  • Comfortable working with limited supervision in a dynamic small office environment
  • Familiarity with Press Office tools, systems, reporting, and analytics
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience in film or television production is beneficial, particularly a general familiarity with who’s who in the film industry