POSITION: Director of Script Competitions
START DATE: April 1, 2021
COMPENSATION: $50,000 Salary + Benefits
WORK HOURS: Monday through Friday, 10AM – 6PM / Additional hours will be needed throughout the year and open availability is required from August through October. (In-Person. No remote opportunities available.)
Regional applicants are preferred.
MISSION STATEMENT: Austin Film Festival furthers the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The Director of Script Competitions is primarily responsible for upholding the reputation and managing all operations of the AFF Script Competition. This involves initiating all marketing plans for the department, overseeing the selection process of scripts, programming panels and opportunities for attending writers at the annual Conference, representing AFF during the Conference and at other events throughout the year, and managing the process for reviewing and preparing readers’ notes to be sent to all competition entrants. The Director of Script Competitions will also work in collaboration with the Script Competitions Manager, who will provide administrative and technical support to execute all projects and initiatives throughout the entire year.
RESPONSIBILITIES (The responsibilities of the Director of Script Competitions include but are not limited to):
- Oversee and manage all script competitions including the Screenplay & Teleplay Competition, Short Screenplay Competition, Scripted Digital Series Competition, Playwriting Competition, and Fiction Podcast Competition
- Respond to many e-mail inquiries on a daily basis
- Collaborate with Script Competitions Manager on all projects within the department
- Analyze data of competition entrants on a regular basis for marketing purposes
- Communicate the status of the department to the Executive Director and staff during weekly meetings
- Read approximately 300+ scripts (over 450 hours of reading required) – time management is a must!
- Oversee reading progress to ensure reading goals are met and all scripts are completed on time.
- Work closely with Script Competition Manager to determine which tasks/projects interns should focus on week over week
- Recruit and manage 400+ readers to review 10,000+ scripts in the First and Second Rounds of the competition
- Coordinate and attend various events to promote the competition (writers’ groups, mixers, events in LA, etc.)
- Recruit (and build/maintain relationships with) industry judges to evaluate scripts for the Semifinalist and Finalist Rounds
- Manage the production of the Producer’s Book which contains loglines and contact info for the year’s top scripts
- Manage and execute process for sending e-mail and postal mail notifications to all entrants
- Manage and execute process for reviewing and sending Reader Comments to all 10,000+ entrants after the Festival
- Work with Conference Director to program panels for entrants who advanced in the competition.
- Tasked with overseeing marketing plan for promoting Conference to Second Rounders, Semifinalists, and Finalists
- Oversee Pitch Competition Coordinator on preparing for annual Pitch Competition during the Conference
- Moderate and speak on panels and serve as host to all attending competition writers during the Conference
- Manage and execute Coverage Program including marketing and reviewing coverage notes before sending them
- Process coverage requests submitted to the Coverage Program and assign scripts to coverage readers
- Review Reader Comments before sending them to all entrants after the Festival
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Professional experience in film, screenwriting, and other relevant fields
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Highly organized and detail oriented.
- Experience with database management
- Expert with Microsoft Excel
- Very strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Time management and proven ability to meet deadlines and goals.
- Both a team player and able to work independently without much supervision.
- Keen managerial ability.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong ability to build and maintain relationships.
- Can multi-task effectively.
- Strong problem-solving ability.
- Able to handle high volume of stress.
- Marketing experience is a plus.
REQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS:
- You have a passion for screenwriting and want to help writers.
- You are a systematic thinker and creative problem-solver.
- You have an ability to learn and adapt quickly.
- You have a strong ability to manage and execute a complex timeline.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Current resume
- Cover letter
- At least three references
- A writing sample (either coverage or film criticism)
HOW TO APPLY:
Send all application materials to resume@austinfilmfestival.com including the position title in the subject line.
POSITION: Film Competition Director
START DATE: Mid-January 2021
WORK HOURS: Full time (In-Person. No remote opportunities available.)
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
HOW TO APPLY:
Send all application materials to resume@austinfilmfestival.com including the position title in the subject line.
POSITION: Short Film Programmer
START DATE: Mid-January 2021
COMPENSATION: $37,500 Salary + Benefits
WORK HOURS: Full time (In-Person. No remote opportunities available.)
ABOUT US: Austin Film Festival furthers the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Austin Film Festival Short Film Programmer is expected to contribute to programming efforts for 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.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The Austin Film Festival’s Short Film Programmer assists with AFF’s Film Competition by managing the shortlist of competition films and contributing to the selection process. The Short Film Programmer will also oversee coordinating logistics and scheduling of the Festival in October.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Watch and prioritize shortlisted films
- Contribute to marketing efforts for film competition overall, specific to competition categories, festival events, and headline fall event.
- Research potential programming
- Oversee Film Selection Committee, including attending and facilitating Screener Team Meetings and coaching screeners through the process
- Conduct research for screener outreach
- Recruiting and training qualified new screeners to join Film Selection Committee
- Maintain and update Programming Database for selection and research purposes
- Assist in creating, organizing and editing content for Program Book, Pocket Guide, online schedule, and other AFF publications
- Use metrics and past festival data to determine optimal time and place to screen each programmed film
- Work with Film Competition Director in building Festival Schedule
- Work with filmmakers to ensure they’re prepared for festival with appropriate paperwork and data.
- Work with Creative Director, and Film Competition Director to select filmmakers that may be a good fit for Indie Film Track Panels during the Conference.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field, ex: humanities, media studies, fine arts.
- Experience in filmmaking – directing, writing, producing – in a primary role
- Writing experience within the realm of professional and/or creative writing, and critical analysis.
- Database management
- Customer service skills
- Experience critically evaluating materials.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- A self-motivated, self-starter adept at juggling multiple projects
- High common sense and good discretion; trustworthy and responsible communicator
- A forward-thinking problem solver
- Passionate about film and stories
- Critical eye for writing and storytelling with an ability to communicate strengths and weaknesses of written projects
- Experience and passion for working with a team
- Confidence and the ability to complete tasks through fulfillment stage.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Current resume with at least three references
- Cover letter
HOW TO APPLY:
Send all application materials to resume@austinfilmfestival.com including the position title in the subject line.