32nd Starz Denver Film Festival - Call for Volunteers & Interns

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
(& INTERNS!)

Hey everyone! It's feeling like fall outside, and that means it's time to GET READY for the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival, which will take place from Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 22, 2009.

VOLUNTEERS

THIS YEAR, WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN EVER, and as always there are many fun and exciting volunteer opportunities available leading up to and during the Festival. So if you're interested in being a part of all the excitement, please make plans to attend one of the following volunteer orientation meetings:

Tuesday 9/22 @ 6:30pm
Thursday 10/1 @ 6:30pm
Saturday 10/3 @ 2:00pm
Tuesday 10/13 @ 6:30pm
Saturday 10/17 @ 2:00pm
Wednesday 10/28 @ 6:30pm
Tuesday 11/3 @ 6:30pm

At the meetings we'll provide you with descriptions of all the volunteer opportunities (there are some new areas this year!) and gather information from you about your areas of interest, your availability and how we can contact you. Then, after we've matched your interests and availability with the Festival needs, we'll get back to you with tentative assignments and ask you to confirm your participation.

All orientation meetings will take place at the Starz FilmCenter, which is located at 900 Auraria Parkway, in the Tivoli complex across the street from the Pepsi Center. Validated parking is available in the surface lot (but not the parking structure) next to the Tivoli. We're also only a short walk from the Pepsi Center/Elitch Gardens, Auraria West and Auraria East light rail stops.

I know that many of you have volunteered at the Festival before (often for many years), but we still want you to attend an orientation meeting so that we can exchange updated information with you. In consideration of your taking the time to attend, I'LL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THE MEETINGS TO UNDER 45 MINUTES. We've also added one additional meeting to try to accommodate more people's schedules. If you can't make any of the meetings above, contact me at volunteer@denverfilm.org or (303)595-3456 (FILM) x223.

INTERNSHIPS

If you've always wanted to get deep inside the Festival and be part of the core team making it happen, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! We have two categories of internships:

Internship Category #1: We're looking for Festival interns who are available 15 to 20 hours a week beginning on or around October 1, increasing to full- or near full-time commitments from around November 1 through November 25 (including three days of post-Festival activities). Interns are needed in the following Festival departments:

Development
1 person needed to track fulfillment of commitments to sponsors, patrons and other financial supporters of the Festival; assemble and deliver ticket packages; and assist the Development Manager in other related activities.

Guest Relations
1 person needed to assist the Guest Relations Manager in making travel arrangements for out-of-town guests of the Festival.

Transportation
2 people needed to assist the Transportation Manager with the recruitment, scheduling and management of volunteer Festival drivers. A clean motor vehicle record is required for this position.

Marketing & Public Relations
2 to 3 people needed to assist in the development and application of corporate identity and other graphic representations of the Festival to media and industry contacts and the general public. Previous public relations, media relations or advertising experience, plus knowledge of AP style, is preferred.

Production
2 people needed to handle a wide range of assignments, including set-up and tear-down of event sites, deliveries and pick-ups and related activities. A valid driver's license and the ability to lift 50 pounds or more is essential. Previous experience with audio/visual equipment is a plus.

Filmmakers' Lounge
2 people needed to assist with all aspects of Filmmakers' Lounge food and beverage operations, including daily set-up and closing, volunteer management and inventory. Previous experience in food & beverage service or hospitality is desirable.

Internship Category #2: In addition, we have intern positions to fill for work during the Festival only (i.e. little or no work required prior to or after the Festival), probably for 4 to 6 hours per day from 11/12 to 11/22:

Special Events

3 people are needed to assist with on-site arrangements for various special events during the Festival. These jobs involve standing for extended periods of time, some of which may be outdoors.

Theatre Operations
1 to 2 people are needed to serve as greeters in the FilmCenter courtyard during the busy evening periods. Greeters welcome filmgoers and direct them to the appropriate box office, customer service or ticketholder line. An outgoing personality, a loud voice and the ability to stand for extended periods of time in sometimes chilly weather is desirable in this job.

Panels
1 person is needed to help coordinate technical and logistical arrangements for the various panel discussions that take place during the Festival. A working knowledge of audio/visual equipment is necessary.

Internship Benefits

Interns will not be paid. However, interns in Category #1 will have most of the privileges and responsibilities of Festival staff members, including participation in weekly staff meetings and access to many pre-Festival events and Festival lounges.

If you're interested in being considered for a Festival internship, please send your resume and a cover letter describing your area(s) of interest and your time availability tovolunteer@denverfilm.org.

Thanks for your continuing interest and support. I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks.