SFFILM

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

Programming

Director of Programming

Overview

The Director of Programming is responsible for shaping, planning, and designing the programming content and components of year-round SFFILM exhibitions and festivals while ensuring that the goals of the organization are met.

Within SFFILM’s structure, this is a highly collaborative position that includes strategic and creative work with SFFILM’s Communications, Development, Operations, Education, and Artist Development departments. The Director works closely with all department heads on strategic planning and organizational leadership and reports to the Executive Director.

Current SFFILM programming includes the San Francisco International Film Festival, Doc Stories, Hong Kong Cinema, Special Presentations, Tributes, and Member Screenings. In addition, the Director of Programming works to help secure films and talent for awards and events including SFFILM Awards Night, SFFILM Honors, and the Sloan Science in Cinema Prize.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please email resume and cover letter to hr@sffilm.org to apply.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee organization and curation of films for SFFILM’s year-round programs including tracking, identifying, and securing films.
  • Plan and conceptualize programs that speak to SFFILM’s mission to champion the world’s finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the Bay Area, with an awareness of Bay Area, national, and international filmmakers and audiences.
  • Achieve a deep understanding of the Bay Area and its audiences, both to serve existing audiences and to explore future audiences.
  • Establish a presence / leadership role in the national and international film field, through ongoing engagement and relationships with international curators, film organizations, and filmmakers.
  • Maintain distributor, exhibitor, and other industry relations and manage negotiations with distributors, producers, filmmakers, and sales agents to secure films for exhibition.
  • Work with external partners to share and solicit programming ideas with the aim of developing projects/seasons/initiatives.
  • Serve as a key representative of SFFILM at meetings of peers and colleagues, festivals/markets, conferences, to the press and public.
  • Coordinate with and host guest filmmakers, writers, critics, and industry guests and lead discussions, Q+As, and events as required.
  • Stay abreast of current and contemporary work in film and other visual storytelling, including issues relevant to exhibition and new ideas and theories in the field through research and networking.
  • Ensure that programs reflect artistic inquiry, including work produced in new and emerging contexts and forms.
  • Manage year-round and program-specific temporary programming, print traffic, and guest office staff including performance management.
  • Develop and oversee management of the departmental budget, monitor expenses and revenues, keeping within budget guidelines.
  • Play a key role in the ongoing management of SFFILM as a member of senior leadership groups, and in the long-term development of SFFILM by participating in long-term strategy and budget meetings.
  • Work collaboratively with the Communications team to frame Festival and other exhibition series’ narratives, design look and feel, and sales strategies.

Experience & Skills Required

  • 5+ years film industry/festival experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of cinema.
  • Strong foundation of industry relationships, including distributors, sales reps, festivals/markets, and filmmakers.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to make and maintain contacts among filmmakers, producers, distributors, sales agents, and publicists.
  • Facility for public speaking, including introducing and presenting films and filmmakers, moderating onstage question and answer sessions, participating in panel discussions, and presenting the festival and its programs to the press and the public.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • Strong management skills and experience working with and leading a team and managing a budget.
  • Strong organizational skills and an ability to work from a timeline and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency with FileMaker Pro, MS Word, and Excel.
  • Ability to prioritize and delegate in high stress situations.

Guest Office Assistant

The Guest Office Assistant acts as the primary administrative support for the Guest Office, the department that handles all filmmaker and guest arrangements at the festival. They are a liaison for a certain segment of visiting guests, including coordinating travel, accommodations, transportation, and attendance at screenings and events. Film industry and/or festival experience preferred. Must have excellent communication skills and ability to multi-task.

This is a full-time, temporary position that runs from February 24, 2020, until April 29, 2020.

Responsibilities

  • Acts as primary administrative support for the department, including maintaining Guest Database in FilemakerPro, creating guest itineraries, creating and updating materials, and maintaining digital tools such as Formstack and Guest Info website.
  • Acts as the main point of contact for the Ambassador program on behalf of the Guest Office, ensuring that all necessary guest arrangements are made, and working closely with the Artist Development team to facilitate changes and keep schedule accurate records.
  • Acts as main point of contact for a certain segment of guests at the festival, including finding interpreters as needed.
  • Duties include: sending invitations, making travel & accommodation arrangements, arranging transportation, creating itineraries, arranging badges and tickets, and any additional correspondence pertaining to their attendance.
  • Works with Guest Office Manager to book all travel and accommodations within given budget.
  • Works with the Festival Events Producer and Executive Assistant in inviting guests to receptions and dinners.
  • Troubleshoots any guest-related issues with diplomacy, levelheadedness, and consideration of resources.

Qualifications

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Organized and able to juggle multiple tasks and timelines
  • Have excellent decision-making and creative problem-solving skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and experienced in database usage (FilemakerPro preferred).
  • Be friendly, welcoming and comfortable interacting with people with vastly different backgrounds and roles.