VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteer Benefits
We recognize volunteers are essential to the festival. As a token of our appreciation volunteers receive the following benefits:
Volunteer Opportunities at the Festival
Volunteer positions are available in the following departments...
Festival Operations, Production and Events Department
The operations and production department is the behind-the-scenes team that works with all Festival departments to set up, maintain, and break down the Festival. As a volunteer you could work in the areas of festival management, seating, event activation, screenings and talk back sessions.
Registration, Hospitality and Festival Communication:
This department is the festival’s home base. It is responsible for attendee check-in, onsite sales and information for the entire festival. This department is integral in assisting attendees with navigating the festival and helping to provide the ultimate experience. Positions in this department include registration check in, festival concierge and street promotions.
Sponsor & Client Services Department:
The sponsor and client services department is the team that works with all of the festival sponsors and partners. This is one of if not the most important department in the festival.
Programming & Filmmaker Relations Department:
This department is responsible for all of the panels, workshops and films at the festival. They work closely with the filmmakers and talent who participate in the festival.
Talent Department
The talent department manages and coordinates all logistics for the talent participating in BAFF. Responsibilities in this department include distribution of festival credentials, creating and reviewing festival itineraries, scheduling interviews with press, wrangling talent to walk the red carpet, escorting talent to their seats at events and other office duties as needed.
Press Department:
The press department selects and manages all credential press outlets. Volunteers in this department will check in and distribute credentials, answer questions, track press coverage, work in the office, wrangle camera crews and assist with press seating at events.
Social Media Team:
The social media team is responsible for sharing the festival experience with the world through social media. Volunteers in this department will curate content and post for the festival’s social media platforms.
Front of House and Theater Operations Department:
This department operates each theater and event venue, from ticket-taking to crowd control, as an organized and cohesive team. Positions in this department include theater ushers, line ambassador and door ticket takers.
Technology Services Department:
This department is the driving force behind all Festival events ensuring that the content for all festival programs is of the highest caliber and quality.
Volunteer Department:
This department is the hub for volunteers to come for questions, assignments and credentials.
The volunteer department manages volunteer shifts and schedules and communicates important information to all staff daily.
How To Volunteer...
Things to Know
- Please read carefully. If interested, please provide your name, contact phone number, level of commitment
- (Full time , or Part Time), available dates and time-frames you're available to our volunteer manager by FEB 15, 2025
- Select a level of commitment. Volunteers can choose their level of commitment per day. We do ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of a 2-4hr schedule on the days the work and this time be established
- Provide their own transportation/flight, lodging and meals
- Must have a working cell phone
- Arrive no later than an Hour before for the event you are working for pre-festival orientation and training
- Have the ability to receive, read, and respond to text messages and email, which are our primary mode of communication.
Volunteer Benefits
We recognize volunteers are essential to the festival. As a token of our appreciation volunteers receive the following benefits:
- Festival Access: Volunteer Credentials allow access to all festival events, not including master classes or private hosted events (similar credential costs $400+). Volunteers are welcome to attend events during the times they are not scheduled to work. Entry to some events are based on seating availability.
- Party: Ticket to the Staff and Volunteer Pre-Festival Mixer on TBA.
Volunteer Opportunities at the Festival
Volunteer positions are available in the following departments...
Festival Operations, Production and Events Department
The operations and production department is the behind-the-scenes team that works with all Festival departments to set up, maintain, and break down the Festival. As a volunteer you could work in the areas of festival management, seating, event activation, screenings and talk back sessions.
Registration, Hospitality and Festival Communication:
This department is the festival’s home base. It is responsible for attendee check-in, onsite sales and information for the entire festival. This department is integral in assisting attendees with navigating the festival and helping to provide the ultimate experience. Positions in this department include registration check in, festival concierge and street promotions.
Sponsor & Client Services Department:
The sponsor and client services department is the team that works with all of the festival sponsors and partners. This is one of if not the most important department in the festival.
Programming & Filmmaker Relations Department:
This department is responsible for all of the panels, workshops and films at the festival. They work closely with the filmmakers and talent who participate in the festival.
Talent Department
The talent department manages and coordinates all logistics for the talent participating in BAFF. Responsibilities in this department include distribution of festival credentials, creating and reviewing festival itineraries, scheduling interviews with press, wrangling talent to walk the red carpet, escorting talent to their seats at events and other office duties as needed.
Press Department:
The press department selects and manages all credential press outlets. Volunteers in this department will check in and distribute credentials, answer questions, track press coverage, work in the office, wrangle camera crews and assist with press seating at events.
Social Media Team:
The social media team is responsible for sharing the festival experience with the world through social media. Volunteers in this department will curate content and post for the festival’s social media platforms.
Front of House and Theater Operations Department:
This department operates each theater and event venue, from ticket-taking to crowd control, as an organized and cohesive team. Positions in this department include theater ushers, line ambassador and door ticket takers.
Technology Services Department:
This department is the driving force behind all Festival events ensuring that the content for all festival programs is of the highest caliber and quality.
Volunteer Department:
This department is the hub for volunteers to come for questions, assignments and credentials.
The volunteer department manages volunteer shifts and schedules and communicates important information to all staff daily.
How To Volunteer...
- Complete the comment section at the bottom explaining why we should select you to join the BAFF volunteer team. In the email subject line please include the department you are applying for.
- We receive hundreds of applications, so we will ONLY contact you if we are interested in conducting a phone interview.
- Once you are interviewed, you will receive an email or phone call indicating that you have been selected. At that time you will receive your specific volunteer assignment– including your role, responsibilities and work schedule. All volunteers will receive their assignments no later than FEB 10, 2025
Things to Know
- Volunteers are REQUIRED to attend a volunteer orientation and Team Break Out Meetings.
- T-shirts and credentials will be distributed at the volunteer orientation.
- BAFF Volunteers and staff are required to wear the staff T-shirt (provided by BAFF) and beige khaki pants, shorts or skirts while working their shift
- As a BAFF Volunteer you are the face of the Festival and as such you should be professional and courteous at all times
- No photographs with talent onsite while on shift
- No handing out scripts, resumes or business cards while on shift
- You may be standing for long periods of time so wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated
- The Festival does not provide meals for volunteers so be sure to eat a healthy meal prior to your shift and bring a snack
- Do not wear your volunteer t-shirt while not on shift