South Yuba River Citizens League
Wild & Scenic Film Festival Lead Programmer
South Yuba River Citizens League, Nevada City, California, United States, 95959
Job Title: Wild & Scenic Film Festival Lead Programmer
Reports To: Film Festival Director
Job Status: Contract through 2/25/25 - Flat Fee of $25,000-$28,000
Location: Hybrid - Nevada City, CA.
JOB DESCRIPTION:The Lead Programmer oversees the film programming and scheduling for one of the largest festivals of its kind in the US, taking place each February in Nevada City, CA. Under the supervision of the Festival Director, the Lead Programmer is responsible for maintaining a sustainable and engaging Wild & Scenic Film Festival that educates and inspires our watershed community and beyond.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Lead Programmer is the primary for all film programming for the event. This person must:
Secure "Official Selection" of Wild & Scenic Festival films, for both the home festival and the "On Tour" season, including the education programs. This includes reviewing submissions, checking other film festivals, and soliciting films from various sources.Assist in helping to manage and motivate the Program Committee to pre-screen and score 400+ films.Conduct research and solicit film submissions.Provide oversight to all film submissions through Film Freeway.Manage Film Chief platform, assigning films to the Program Committee as needed, creating lists to share with the team, and ensuring all films are screened at least 3 times by different people.Collaborate with Director to curate all film programming for all venues and special events. This also includes filmmaker Q&As and some workshops and panels (not to exceed 5).Provide high level suggestions of 35-40 film contenders for Jury to deliberate over.Assist with creation of festival trailer by flagging potential clips to include.Work throughout festival week of Feb.10-17 including tech check with production company, emceeing (including Q&A facilitation), and awards ceremony presentation.Make accommodations for availability during SYRCL office hours (9am - 5pm) Monday through Friday for prescheduled meetings and to communicate with the WSFF team as Contractor input needed. During the period of mid-November through mid-December communication and collaboration needs will be more frequent.Collaborate with Director on special needs related to sponsor assignments for sessions.QUALIFICATIONS:
4+ years of demonstrated experience in film programming or curation with solid film knowledge and expertiseFamiliarity with the environmental, social impact, and outdoor adventure film ecosystem and the aesthetic and ethos of the Wild & Scenic Film FestivalKnowledgeable about key filmmakers, producers, talent, distributors, with demonstrated and established industry relationshipsMust have strong critical writing and interpersonal skills, and ability to work as part of a teamStrong work ethic, professional manner, and ability to represent Wild & Scenic Film FestivalSelf-driven and motivated who works well under pressureComfortable with public speaking in front of an audienceExcellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments when faced with many deadlines and competing requirementsStrong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with volunteers, colleagues, and donorsCandidate should be versed in the demands of the film festival industry and be willing to occasionally work nights and weekendsWORKING CONDITIONS:
Contractor will need to be available for meetings and collaboration as needed during normal office hours: Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm PSTPresent in Nevada City/Grass Valley at least for the week before and week of 2025 festivalOccasional evening and weekend work is requiredSome travel required, must possess a valid driver's license.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Able to work on a computer for up to 12 hours a day and able to sit at a desk for extended periods; to read a computer screen and manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.Able to speak clearly on the phone and in person and be understood by others.Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 30-50 pounds.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SYRCL is an Equal Opportunity Employerand does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Reports To: Film Festival Director
Job Status: Contract through 2/25/25 - Flat Fee of $25,000-$28,000
Location: Hybrid - Nevada City, CA.
JOB DESCRIPTION:The Lead Programmer oversees the film programming and scheduling for one of the largest festivals of its kind in the US, taking place each February in Nevada City, CA. Under the supervision of the Festival Director, the Lead Programmer is responsible for maintaining a sustainable and engaging Wild & Scenic Film Festival that educates and inspires our watershed community and beyond.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Lead Programmer is the primary for all film programming for the event. This person must:
Secure "Official Selection" of Wild & Scenic Festival films, for both the home festival and the "On Tour" season, including the education programs. This includes reviewing submissions, checking other film festivals, and soliciting films from various sources.Assist in helping to manage and motivate the Program Committee to pre-screen and score 400+ films.Conduct research and solicit film submissions.Provide oversight to all film submissions through Film Freeway.Manage Film Chief platform, assigning films to the Program Committee as needed, creating lists to share with the team, and ensuring all films are screened at least 3 times by different people.Collaborate with Director to curate all film programming for all venues and special events. This also includes filmmaker Q&As and some workshops and panels (not to exceed 5).Provide high level suggestions of 35-40 film contenders for Jury to deliberate over.Assist with creation of festival trailer by flagging potential clips to include.Work throughout festival week of Feb.10-17 including tech check with production company, emceeing (including Q&A facilitation), and awards ceremony presentation.Make accommodations for availability during SYRCL office hours (9am - 5pm) Monday through Friday for prescheduled meetings and to communicate with the WSFF team as Contractor input needed. During the period of mid-November through mid-December communication and collaboration needs will be more frequent.Collaborate with Director on special needs related to sponsor assignments for sessions.QUALIFICATIONS:
4+ years of demonstrated experience in film programming or curation with solid film knowledge and expertiseFamiliarity with the environmental, social impact, and outdoor adventure film ecosystem and the aesthetic and ethos of the Wild & Scenic Film FestivalKnowledgeable about key filmmakers, producers, talent, distributors, with demonstrated and established industry relationshipsMust have strong critical writing and interpersonal skills, and ability to work as part of a teamStrong work ethic, professional manner, and ability to represent Wild & Scenic Film FestivalSelf-driven and motivated who works well under pressureComfortable with public speaking in front of an audienceExcellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments when faced with many deadlines and competing requirementsStrong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with volunteers, colleagues, and donorsCandidate should be versed in the demands of the film festival industry and be willing to occasionally work nights and weekendsWORKING CONDITIONS:
Contractor will need to be available for meetings and collaboration as needed during normal office hours: Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm PSTPresent in Nevada City/Grass Valley at least for the week before and week of 2025 festivalOccasional evening and weekend work is requiredSome travel required, must possess a valid driver's license.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Able to work on a computer for up to 12 hours a day and able to sit at a desk for extended periods; to read a computer screen and manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.Able to speak clearly on the phone and in person and be understood by others.Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 30-50 pounds.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SYRCL is an Equal Opportunity Employerand does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.