From theatre entrances and shuttle stops to special events and information booths, Festival volunteers are everywhere, dedicating their time to help make INDIEFEST! a thriving environment for independent film, music and the very best in gaming.
If you enjoy event planning and playing host to a long list of very special guests, we invite you complete the online form below and click SUBMIT. We are accepting applications and look forward to hearing from you.
Rules and Requirements
What it’s like
In short, our Volunteers help to showcase independent film over the course of the ten day Festival each October. There’s an energy and a camaraderie in running the many, many screenings and events that create the stage for INDIEFEST! It requires willing volunteers who bring their passion, flexibility, and reliability to make things happen. Those interested in star-sightings and free stuff need not apply. Volunteering at INDIEFEST! is about helping artists share their stories. Together we’re creating a place and a platform for independent film, music and interactive gaming to reach audiences for the very first time, which is why our Volunteers have returned year-after-year from as close as down the street to as far as half-way around the world.
How it works
Our Volunteer Department reviews all of the application we receive annually to find people who are best fit to fill the numerous positions required to running a successful Festival. Festival Volunteers receive job specific training, work assigned shifts (usually 4-8 hours each), and accrue benefits based on the fulfillment of their commitment. We have relied on our Volunteers since its inception, and sincerely value the commitment and contribution of each member, working to provide a community that offers a rich, enlightening and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. So, if you’re ready for a completely different level of excitement, we invite you to join us!
Requirements to Volunteer
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and be able to work a minimum of 24 hours (3 days / 8 hours per day) before or during the 10 days of the Festival. You can certainly volunteer to work more hours if you’d like, but this will qualify you as a Full-Time Volunteer and grant you special Festival benefits such as Volunteer Vouchers (See the description of a Full-Time Volunteer marked with an * below)
Additional Volunteer requirements include:
- Commit to a pre-assigned Festival schedule of 4-8 hours each day
- Be available to work the entire Festival period as determined by job assignment
- Attend pre-Festival trainings
- Review and reply to training information sent to you online in advance of the Festival
- Receive, read, and respond to email, this is our primary mode of communication
Sign-Up and Scheduling
Volunteers can pick available shifts that fit within their flexibility. Volunteers can choose to spend as much time working as they can afford, but are asked to commit to a minimum of 24 hours throughout the Festival in order to receive benefits based on hours volunteered.
In addition to the 10 days of the actual Festival in October, pre and post Festival volunteer opportunities run from August 1st – November 30th and provide an opportunity to see the inner workings of running an international film festival. As we’re sure you can imagine, the preparation and clean-up of an event like this is often times as equally important as the event itself, so your participation during these specific time periods are extremely appreciated and valued by our Staff.
New Volunteers
If this is the first year you will be participating in INDIEFEST! here are a few tips and suggestions to get you started:
1. Learn more about the Festival Volunteer Program and departments and determine how many hours you are able and willing to volunteer. Volunteers are assigned to specific roles within Festival Departments, based on volunteer interests and Festival needs. Learning more about Festival Departments provides insight into what you could be doing day-to-day as a volunteer.
2. Submit your online application to the Volunteer Department. Applications can be submitted year round but are processed starting March 1st and are due by July 31st. Any applications received after July 31st will be kept on file and not considered until the following year.
After March 1st, applications are reviewed by the Volunteer Department and assignments are made based on the Volunteer’s interests, skills, availability, and, of course, the needs of the Festival, you’re your application is qualified and approved, the Volunteer Department will contact you no later than August 15th by e-mail or phone to discuss possibilities. You will have until August 22nd to cancel your commitment to the Festival.
3. Meet your match. When a volunteer’s interests and the Festival’s needs fit, Volunteers are offered a Festival Assignment. Volunteers then commit to playing an important role in making INDIEFEST! an experience like no other.
RETURNING Volunteers
Then there is no need to re-apply. As a INDIEFEST! Alumni Volunteer in good standing, you will be automatically contacted around May 11th and invited to rejoin the ranks for the upcoming Festival. Of course, your areas of interest may vary and your availability and the number of hours you are able to commit might change, but these are all details you can discuss with the Volunteer Department once you’ve confirmed that you wish to return to the Festival for another season.
If, for some reason, May 11th comes and goes and you do not hear from us, please contact the Volunteer Department to correct the problem and re-enroll in the program.
Levels of Volunteer Involvement
Part-Time Volunteers (23 or less hours)
Volunteers who can only commit to 23 hours or less will be considered Part-Timers. As a Part-Timer, your schedule will be fixed and you will receive all the benefits of being an INDIEFEST! participant, but not qualify to earn Volunteer Vouchers to attend film screenings, panel discussions and events.
*Full-Time Volunteers (24 hours or more)
Volunteers who commit to 24 hours or more will be considered Full-Timers. As a Full-Timer, your schedule will be fixed and you will receive all the benefits of being an INDIEFEST! participant, including Volunteer Vouchers allowing you to attend film screenings, panel discussions and events. (As an example, 4 hours worked = 1 voucher. 1 voucher = 1 ticket.) Please note that a limited number of screening vouchers are held at certain theatre box offices for Festival Staff and Volunteers and are available one hour prior to screening time. If those vouchers have all been distributed, you may join the waitlist and use your Festival I.D. Card and voucher for admittance. Waitlist patrons are admitted to the theatre on a space-available basis 15 minutes before the screening begins. Staff and Volunteers will be admitted on a space available basis to the Staff and Volunteer Screenings.
Volunteer Benefits
Volunteers are essential to the success of INDIEFEST! and the level of quality and hospitality our Guests experience while attending the Festival. We recognize the time you will be devoting to the Festival and provide benefits to Volunteers as a thank you for your service. Benefits are provided in conjunction with the number of hours volunteered and the positions held.
Volunteers will receive:
A Festival Uniform: Official festival shirt, nametag and I.D. Card.
Festival Access: So that Volunteers can experience the Festival they’re helping to create, we work to give them access to film screenings, panel discussions and events. Volunteers are required to work a minimum of 24 hours in order to qualify to receive Volunteer Vouchers granting them access to this benefit, and Vouchers and credentials are nontransferable and must be used in any other way.
Festival Discounts: Being an INDIEFEST! Volunteer grants you certain discounts on film passes, tickets and admission to special parties and events. Discounts are also given for accommodations at the Celebration Hotel as well as participating Celebration restaurants.
Unique Volunteer Events: Each Volunteer receives a ticket to the Staff and Volunteer Opening Night Party to get things started off right. To keep the energy going, various events and gatherings are held for volunteers throughout the Festival. Volunteers can also enjoy the Volunteer Villa, an exclusive venue for Volunteers to lounge, get hearty snacks, access the internet, and touch base with the Volunteer Department.
Recognition and “Thanks!”: Festival Volunteers are listed by name in some Festival Materials in recognition of their dedication and service. Our most valued pool of Volunteers are our alumni. Alumni receive special recognition after volunteering for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
While our greatest need for Volunteers falls during the actual 10 days of INDIEFEST!, much work is done before and after the Festival. We encourage Volunteers interested in pre and post Festival opportunities to indicate their interest on the online application you submit when applying to the Volunteer Department. Pre and Post-Fest opportunities will be sent out to interested Volunteers via email, allowing Volunteers to sign-up for opportunities as they desire..