The KIFF 2023 Programmer leads the creation and implementation of programming objectives, contributing to the Festival’s ongoing strategic development.
The Festival Programmer will work closely with the Programming Team and Festival Board, with overall responsibility for the 2023 programme.
Job Description
Key responsibilities:
- Curate the 2023 Festival Programme, with input from the festival manager, programming team and board. Responsible for overall program selection for the Festival and year-round activity.
- Select and programme international and Irish films (shorts, docs & features) & develop a dynamic industry programme.
- Conduct content research, communicate with distributors, sales agents, and filmmakers about upcoming releases, and attend screenings as necessary.
- Programme Management: contract negotiations, payment of film fees, negotiation of film fees and licenses, coordination with third parties (distributors, sales agents, producers, etc.), and maintenance of relationships.
- Manage the programming team includes leading, supervising, supporting, and motivating them.
- Communicate regularly with the board on programme updates and monitor the progress of the Programming Team, providing management and support as required.
- Find, secure, and coordinate the appropriate film talent, moderators and facilitators for intros, Q&A sessions and panel discussions, including award juries.
- Programme Delivery: film and event confirmation, film scheduling, programme administration and financial management.
- Festival Delivery: prepare and moderate intros and Q&As, oversee and supervise the schedule of additional moderators and facilitators.
- Oversee the submission process, including categories, dates, deadlines, notification and marketing and promotion of the festivals to gather quality submissions.
- Oversee the technical, venue, print transport and projection coordinators on screenings deliverables.
- Programme Administration: programme communication, information for applications, regular meetings with the Festival Manager, Programme Team and Board.
- Attend planning and development meetings, monthly Board meetings, and stakeholder/funder meetings as required.
- Festival Representation: Attend events and festivals to represent the Festival as the board directs.
- Develop, deliver and participate in year-round programme activity outreach events: develop activity that will help to create year-round visibility (for example, Culture Night).
- Deliver copy and data for funding applications and post-event reports.
- Programme Marketing: timely creation, assignment, and delivery of synopsis for films and programs, marketing and promotional notes, and any other text that may be necessary.
- Schedule festival programme deliverables, marketing and administrative deadlines. Provide images, copy text and synopsis for programmed titles for inclusion in the brochure and website and print deliverables.
- Liaise with selected filmmakers on brochures, copy and screening print deliverables.
- Advise Marketing and PR teams on key themes, guests, stories, etc.
- Undertake interviews (print, radio, TV, online) as requested to promote the festival/events.
- Provide post-festival reports, analysis and funding applications as directed by the Festival Manager.
Essential experience:
The ideal candidate for this position will be an exceptional individual with demonstrable programming experience in film festivals and/or arts organisations and with the following experience:
- Programming experience of at least 3 years.
- A comprehensive knowledge of and interest in all forms of cinema – narrative, documentary, experimental, etc.
- Good knowledge of and interest in Irish film and the Irish film landscape.
- Proven experience and success in curating and implementing cultural programmes.
- Self-motivated and comfortable with remote working.
- A track record of working to budgets and timeframes.
- Strong organisational skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- An understanding of the technical logistics of delivering film screenings.
Desirable experience:
- An understanding of the Kerry film and arts industry and communities.
- A passion and knowledge of the Irish language.
- An established network of productive relationships with external contacts in film, sales and distribution agencies, cultural institutions, film festivals and film organisations- in Ireland and internationally.
Job title: Film Festival Progammer
Reporting to: Festival Manager
Pay: Flat fee, dependent on experience
Hours:
Start dates: April 2023
April-July: flexible and remote, part-time (with a choice of own hours).
Late July-Nov: increase in hours which will be less flexible, especially in the run-up to the festival launch and festival dates. (Oct 19 – 22nd)
Contract: Apr-Nov
Please send a CV and cover letter to: info@kerryfilmfestival.com and include ‘Programmer’ in the subject line.
Please note: As a small team we may not be able to respond to every application. If this role is not right for you but you wish to volunteer or are interested in an internship in the run-up to KIFF 2023 please get in touch.
Thank you in advance for your interest.
The closing date for this position is March 12th, 2023.