Internship Opportunities

FESTIVAL DESCRIPTION:

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the art of world cinema. By offering a wide variety of film events throughout the year such as film screenings, educational programs, celebrity Tributes and seminars, SBIFF takes world cinema and makes it accessible to diverse audiences locally and internationally.

Film screenings, distinguished panels and seminars, gala events and educational programming attracts over 50,000 film enthusiasts, entertainment industry professionals and celebrities from around the world during the eleven days of the annual Festival.

SBIFF is a world class event, with sold-out Tributes, panels and screenings. With a broad range of cinematic achievements, SBIFF attracts the biggest names in the business. The planning of and event of this size and scope is not an easy task. The SBIFF office and all of its departments work hard year round preparing for the next Festival. Come Festival time, the office is a fast-paced, high-pressure machine.

QUALIFICATIONS:

SBIFF is recruiting dedicated, hard working interns who want to work in a fast-paced environment. Good communication and writing skills are a must, as well as multitasking and the ability to work independently. This is a part time internship requiring a minimum of 20 hours a week; availability must be flexible during the eleven days of the annual Festival. Due to the nature of our events, all interns must be 21 years of age or over. Interns should be interested in one or more of the following: public relations and communications, marketing, administration, development, programming, publications, business, web and graphic design, IT, events and hospitality and of course, film and media. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, and Filemaker Pro is a plus.

OPPORTUNITIES:

Interns will be assigned to a department according to interest and qualifications. Assignments are flexible and interns may also become familiar with and learn specifics of other departments as well. By working in specific departments of the Festival, interns will have an opportunity to become specialized with a focus on projects over tasks.

Programming (September-February): From the over 2000 films from all over the world being considered, the programming department chooses a select number of elite films to screen at the SBIFF. Among these are Oscar and Independent Spirit Award candidates as well as independent filmmakers who may be the next Coppola or Scorsese. Interns in this position will be a viable team member that is heavily relied upon both before and during the Festival.

Development (September-February): The Development department works with sponsors building relationships between local, national and even global companies and SBIFF. An intern in this position would need to have good relational skills for interacting with important Festival sponsors. Projects may include tracking sponsors status, overseeing a sponsor’s activation and reporting on sponsor’s involvement. Attention to detail is necessary to ensure that the benefits in each sponsor’s agreement are delivered accurately and timely during the Festival.

Special Events (November-February): The Festival is full of special events from Celebrity Tribute After-parties with 600 platinum passholders to the Opening Night Gala with 2,000 guests. SBIFF after-parties are not all glamour and require hard work and exceptional logistical orchestration. This intern position would assist the Special Events Coordinator with planning and execution of the various social events. Once again, interpersonal skills and attention to detail are a must.

Hospitality (November-February): Of the more than 200 films shown during the Festival, most include introductions and Q&As by the filmmakers. Each filmmaker is a guest of SBIFF and requires accommodations and assistance in navigating the Festival. This intern would assist the Hospitality Liaison, working directly with hotels and resorts in Santa Barbara negotiating room nights and other amenities. During the Festival the position would assist in making sure all the filmmakers get their accommodations, and assist them any other needs they may have.

Volunteerism (December- February): The SBIFF cannot be possible without the 400+ Volunteers that support us. Assistance is needed with the recruitment and assignment of volunteers assisted by the Shift Board program, updating the volunteer video and orientation video and information and assist with the management of the volunteers during the Festival.

Website/Graphics Design (September-February): SBIFF has many different print and electronic materials for the eyes of its attendees and the public. These range from the website itself, Official Program and Pocket Guides to the Official Festival Poster. The graphic design intern would need to be proficient in various programs such as Photoshop, In Design, etc. The website/ graphic design of the Festival is how the public identifies the Festival and therefore must display quality in branding.

Marketing/Advertising (September-February): SBIFF is always looking for new ways to get its name out there. SBIFF creates advertisements, merchandise, banners, newscasts etc based up demographics, cost and other relevant variables. If you are interested in a career in marketing or advertising, this would be great experience to learn and put to work your own innovative marketing ideas.

Press and Public Relations (September-February): Learn how the Film Festival’s public relations department operates by assisting in preparing for and executing publicity campaigns for SBIFF. Responsibilities may include maintaining publicity files, including copying and filing articles, correspondence and information related to films and press; maintaining video library, telephoning press to establish and maintain contact; data entry; preparing and mailing press releases and press kits; generating correspondences; labeling and filing publicity materials; preparing press clippings; and miscellaneous projects.

Production (November-February): The intern would assist the Production supervisor and the Technical Director with the planning and execution of the celebrity tributes, panels, Field Trip to the Movies and AppleBox programs.

VIP Concierge (December-February): This position calls for mature, well organized individuals with excellent communication skills and congeniality to assist with hosting VIP guests.

Technical Assistant (January- February): The staging, lighting and sound for all of the tributes, panels, Q&A’s etc as well as projection needs for all of the films demands an individual who can assist the Technical Director during the Festival.

Operations (Year round): Executing a production as complex as the Film Festival takes in inordinate amount of work and organization. The list runs long of projects and tasks that are tackled each and every day of the year at SBIFF. If you did not see an area of interest above or you are unsure of the direction you would like to pursue, SBIFF offers a wide variety of opportunities representing many aspects of business, entertainment and office environments. A more general position of assistance may help you determine your own strengths and interests.

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To apply for an internship, please submit your resume and a cover letter to Steve Blain at steve@sbfilmfestival.org. Thank you