Paid Fall-Spring Programming Intern

Learn how to curate films and program events for one of the largest environmental film festivals in the world.

Internship Summary

The Programming Intern will support the Director of Programming, Managing Director, and other Festival staff in all facets of Festival programming, including assisting in research, review, and planning of Festival film programs. The internship is a 7-month commitment spanning September through March. The weeks leading up to the Festival will be particularly busy and interns are expected to be available for additional time during evenings and weekends during the 2024 Festival, which takes place March 21 – 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

The internship is split into two segments: Selection & Review (September – December) and Festival Planning & Event Management (January – March). This is a paid internship with a monthly stipend.

Throughout the internship, the intern will participate in a curatorial project, culminating in the presentation and moderation of a student short film program at the 2024 Festival.

 

Responsibilities

Selection & Review (approx 10hr/week September – December)  

  • Film Review & Panel Research

– Work with the Programming Department to review Festival submissions (approx 10 hr/week.)

-Research and obtain film screeners for potential Festival selections. 

-Offer support with researching panelists and moderators to take part in Festival programs.

-Participate in weekly all-staff and programming meetings.

  • Asset Collection

-Search for information and images for films, filmmakers, and special guests.

-Organize and maintain these assets in the Festival database (AirTable) so that the information is available to other departments.

  • Administrative support 

-Create and maintain film catalogues and other databases for regular meetings. 

-Assist the Programming Manager with the coordination of Screening Committee assignments.

-Provide administrative support to all Festival staff as needed.

 

Festival Planning & Event Management (approx 15hr/week January – March)

  • Event Materials / Print Traffic

-Review exhibition copies to ensure there are no issues with the films.

-Generate runs-of-show for each Festival program.

-Generate/edit slides for each Festival program

  • Venue Management 

-Serve as a public-facing ambassador of the Festival at all programs and events.

-Help manage assigned venue to ensure that the Festival program runs smoothly.

-Greet and guide volunteers into their roles.

-Greet and coordinate with filmmakers and special guests.

-Introduce programs and facilitate Q&As, if needed. 

 

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Training/background in film and media are preferred.
  • Candidates should be adaptable and self-motivated with the ability to multitask and manage/prioritize deadlines. 
  • Excellent project and time management skills with attention to detail, accuracy and timely follow through. 
  • Technologically savvy and able to learn new digital platforms.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally and collegially with colleagues, donors, venue partners, the general public, and others.
  • Strong written and oral communications skills, with the ability to speak publically and a willingness to be a face of the Festival. 
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Dropbox, AirTable and comfortable on Mac OS X prefered.
  • Video editing skills with a basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite strongly encouraged.
  • Candidates will need reliable access to a computer.

 

Background 

Launched in 1993, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) is the largest and longest-running showcase for environmental films in the United States. Each March, our signature Festival presents more than 100 documentary, narrative, and short films from around the world in venues across greater Washington, D.C. Alongside the screenings, we offer panels and special events featuring filmmakers, subject matter experts, and other invited guests to foster dialogue and deepen engagement. We also offer a full slate of year-round programming, such as our signature Youth Program for D.C. public and charter school students and regular community-based screenings, including both first-run and encore Festival presentations. A leading D.C. cultural institution, we were named Best Film Festival in D.C. by Washington City Paper readers in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 and were honored with the 2017 D.C. Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries.

 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should email a brief cover letter and résumé directly to monica@dceff.org. The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Job applicants are considered with no discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non–merit-based factors.