SQFF FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
29TH ANNUAL SEATTLE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL (October 10–20, 2024)
Contract Position
Three Dollar Bill Cinema fosters deeper community engagement by showcasing queer film programming, educational experiences, and social dialogue. We provide access to films by, for, and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people and their families, and a forum for LGBTQ+ filmmakers to share and discuss their work with audiences. We curate themed screenings throughout the year and produce programs in partnership with other arts, cultural, and service delivery organizations in the Greater Seattle area.
BASIC FUNCTION
Three Dollar Bill Cinema is seeking a film-loving Festival Director who is passionate about sharing queer cinema with our communities. This position will work in conjunction with the Festival Coordinator and Board of Directors in the implementation of the in-person and online festival plan for the 29th Annual Seattle Queer Film Festival (SQFF). The Festival Director will oversee and execute the overall creative vision for SQFF 2024 and serve as the primary representative for the festival.
DATES OF COMMITMENT
Contract: June 2024 to November 1, 2024
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Execute artistic vision for the Seattle Queer Film Festival in keeping with the mission and goals of Three Dollar Bill Cinema.
• Solicit, select, book, and schedule programs for SQFF, which include films, discussions, and new programs.
• Manage budget for the festival.
• Oversee programming and operations for the festival.
• Supervise Festival Coordinator and Intern to manage submission process, including: marketing call for submissions, maintaining database, soliciting films, and communicating acceptance status with filmmakers.
• Manage & consult with screening committees in making selections for the festival.
• Maintain strong and professional relationships with distributors.
• Invite and bring guests to the festival, keeping within the travel budget.
• Supervise tech needs with Technical Manager and Operations team.
• Write, edit and approve blurbs in coordination with program book writers.
• Work with Awards Coordinator to select jurors and oversee the jury process.
• Generate programming content for SQFF website, blog, mass emails, and social media.
• Manage Program Book Designer to produce SQFF printed program. This includes assignment, writing, and collection of film descriptions, as well as the collection of film photos and other images.
• Work with marketing team to determine strategy for promoting SQFF.
• Promote SQFF via interviews and social media.
• Provide marketing team with info about films and filmmakers, screeners, and photos.
• Finalize festival schedule within deadline and clearly share information with all members of SQFF team and Three Dollar Bill Cinema Board.
• Populate the film info spreadsheet to be shared with website developers (and other digital portals as needed).
• Manage Print Traffic Coordinator to coordinate timely receipt and delivery of all exhibition media.
• Provide Volunteer Coordinator with necessary program information to assemble appropriate volunteer support.
• During festival – introduce filmmakers and programs, facilitate Q&As, attend events, dinners, etc.
• Post festival – provide detailed wrap report along with tools/processes for programming SQFF.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Collaborative self-starter
• Proven effective communicator across matrix of audiences
• Executive Project Manager skills
• Interest in non-profit organizing and a love of film and the arts
• Desire to learn about curation and programming
• Ability to work virtually (zoom, google meet, slack)
• Strong computer software skills, specifically in Microsoft Excel, Word, and google drive (Mac-based office)
• Ability to take initiative, show good judgment, and manage projects from beginning to end
• Strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to problem-solve in ambiguous situations
• Familiarity with queer and transgender communities
• Committed to working with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender orientations, and racial diversity
BENEFITS
• $18,500 total compensation
• Two (2) VIP festival passes (or equivalent) for SQFF 2024 (for use by Festival Director and invited guest)
• One (1) VIP festival pass (or equivalent) for TRANSlations 2025
• Interact with community members, business managers, and owners in the greater Seattle region
• Gain experience in non-profit development, event management, programming/curation, and volunteer management
• Opportunity to work behind the scenes and experience the largest LGBTQIA2+ film festival in the region
TO APPLY
Email your resumé with a short letter of interest to ed@threedollarbillcinema.org. Please indicate Festival Director. Position is open until filled.
Three Dollar Bill Cinema is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire candidates that reflect the cultural diversity of our community. We welcome and encourage qualified candidates from all national, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, from all gender and sexual identities, and persons living with disabilities, to apply to come part of our organization.
ABOUT THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA
Mission: Three Dollar Bill Cinema fosters deeper community engagement by showcasing queer film programming, educational experiences, and social dialogue.
Vision: Elevating the spectrum of queer stories to help create a just and equitable world.
Values: Community Empowerment, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Global Awareness, Cinematic & Artistic Innovation, Education & Learning, Impactful Experience, Radical Fun!, and Good Stewardship
SEATTLE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL – October 10-20, 2024
Our flagship program, Seattle Queer Film Festival, has been part of the Greater Seattle LGBTQIA2+ community and beyond since 1996, when it was known as the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, and it has become the largest festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The festival has garnered national recognition for showcasing extraordinary and award-winning work. The festival is also an important venue in the local Seattle film scene, and inspires members of our community to express their creativity through film and video.
TRANSLATIONS: SEATTLE TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL – June 6-9, 2024
Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents this groundbreaking film festival to provide the Pacific Northwest with a venue for films by, for, and about transgender people, encouraging visibility and positive representations of transgender issues. Launched in 2006, Translations is one of only a few transgender film festivals in the world.