The Festival Operations Assistant is responsible for the day-to-day preparation and execution of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.

This is a “catch all” position, dealing with multiple facets (pardon the pun) of the event, including programming and scheduling, filmmaker notification and correspondence, print traffic, exhibition standards, venue management, hospitality, etc.

Ideal candidates will have excellent organization and communication skills and a basic understanding of film presentation (aspect ratios, the ability to recognize when something looks or sounds “off”, etc.) A car and valid IL driver’s license is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

· Assisting with correspondence between CICFF and film submitters (filmmakers, distributors) informing them of festival status, answering any questions or directing them to appropriate personnel.

· Coordinating inbound/outbound shipment of films between CICFF and filmmakers/other festivals; responsible for keeping detailed notes of festival formats, shipping deadlines and requirements, all costs and fees.

· Updating screening schedules in Festival Master List (ML) to reflect time/date/location of individual film’s screenings.

· Updating ML for notes helpful to projectionists, i.e. aspect ratio, audio levels, subtitle info.

· Burning and duplicating of exhibition Blu-rays, testing content prior to delivery to festival venues; overseeing tech checks and ensuring everything plays as it should.

· On-site venue management, helping to coordinate arrival, seating, and departure of hundreds of students for select screenings.

· Have complete knowledge of Festival program and happenings, and be able to answer any questions.

· Help coordinate travel and accommodations for visiting filmmakers and VIPs.

· Assist with the preparation, assemblage, and distribution of Festival accreditation and Filmmaker Welcome Packets.

· Serve as “concierge” for visiting talent and VIPs (i.e. recommendations, directions).

· Assist and be on-site for all festival events, including Opening and Closing, Filmmaker and Press parties, regular and special screenings, workshops, etc.

· Assist with organization of special event/workshop reservations (RSVP, process fees, etc).

· Coordinate and evaluate event/workshop feedback.