Position Overview

 

Organization: Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (or VAALA)

Event: Viet Film Fest (or VFF)

Position Title: Festival Director

Employment Type: Temporary, Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation: $20/hour

Work Schedule: VAALA expects this temporary position to last from February 2022 through December 31, 2022. Position will have flexibility in setting a weekly schedule (including evenings and weekends). Position will work approximately 15 hours per week, with possibly more required hours for the week prior to, and the week of, the festival. Must be available for the entire festival event of possibly two weeks scheduled beginning October 2022.

Reports to: Executive Director and Managing Director 

Location: Remote, but must be available and onsite as needed, including for the entire VFF, in Orange County, CA

Viet Film Fest by VAALA focuses on uplifting and showcasing Vietnamese stories and artists and is the largest Vietnamese film festival outside of Vietnam. In 2022, VFF will be hosting its event in a premier hybrid format, including virtual and in-person live screenings. 

VAALA is seeking an inspirational leader and skilled manager to direct a passionate team of staff and volunteers in creating a successful film festival. This person will create the space and logistics for a successful festival event. Working in conjunction with the Artistic Director (whose role is to curate and provide artistic direction), and the Digital Director (whose role is to maintain the digital experience of the festival), the Viet Film Fest Digital Festival Director will oversee all planning, operations, and in-person event logistics for the 2022 film festival, scheduled for October 2022. This person’s duties will include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. 

The ideal candidate will have arts programming experience, a love of film, and be able to thrive in a flexible, creative environment. This person must be ready to create a great in-person experience for hosting films and events. This person will train staff or volunteers on all the overall project and timeline of the festival of events. The ideal candidate will have project management experience to be detailed-oriented and focused on time, budget, and quality of the event. 

 

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Direction

• Work with the Viet Film Fest Artistic Director, VFF Digital Director, VAALA Managing team, and VAALA Board of Directors to establish festival objectives and goals.
• Ensure VAALA’s mission, values, and vision are followed at all times throughout the festival

2. Operations 

• Develop, execute and oversee festival timeline and work plan by position and department to ensure that deadlines are met and the festival operates smoothly.
• Plan and coordinate any in-person festival events, such as theater screenings.
• Oversee all aspects of the program, which include but are not limited to ticket sales; reporting; scheduling; and more.
• Manage festival finances to ensure the program stays within budget.
• Organize and secure the resources necessary for festival and fundraising events.
• Oversee ticketing and guest accreditation. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the VAALA managing team.

 

3. Leadership, Management, and Teambuilding

• Work closely with the Artistic Director and Digital Director for selection, hiring, and training of Core VFF Team Members.
• Recruit and supervise seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Train and supervise staff, interns, and volunteers. 
• Build rapport and relationships with volunteers, sponsors, staff, and interns.
• Build and ensure positive, professional relationships with filmmakers, sponsors, and community partners. 
• Ability to provide support and resources across the team for smooth operations. 

4. Fundraising

• Work closely with the Director and board in executing fundraising efforts which include sponsorships, memberships, individual and business donations, ad sales, and fundraising events.
• Research, outreach to, and negotiate with sponsors; see to the fulfillment of sponsor agreements.

 

5. Marketing

• Work closely with VAALA Executive Director and Managing Director to develop and integrate digital platforms with VAALA and VFF’s current website.
• Develop an overall marketing plan and work together with the VAALA Communications Manager to develop the creative campaign and materials including print, web, and social networking.
• Oversee and communicate with digital teams to ensure high quality uploads, correct file formats, descriptions, and details are presented to the public.
• Act as spokesperson on behalf of VAALA and VFF to press, community partners, and the public.
• Oversee the logistics and quality check of producing the festival program. 

6. Evaluation

• Establish measures of success to ensure festival objectives are met.

 

Requirements:

• Demonstrated excellent technical knowledge and skills.
• Strong and positive leadership and teambuilding skills.
• Excellent project coordination, time management, and organizational skills with the ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects.
• Self-starter who is proactive and driven, with a strong work ethic, a high level of motivation, a strong sense of urgency when needed, the ability to work without direct supervision, and  ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate proficiency in cultivating meaningful relationships with filmmakers/industry reps, donors, and community members.
• Ability to supervise and delegate, while being willing to take initiative.
• At least one year of film festival/media/digital event experience.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the Vietnamese community.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, and social media.
• Experience with platforms such as Asana, Eventive, FilmFreeway, Cinesend, or other film platforms preferred. 

 

Working Conditions

 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; climb stairs; sit; use hands-to-finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear, sit or stand at a computer for long periods of time. Employee is also regularly required to lift up to 40 lbs. 

 

The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.

 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will regularly work remotely and have access to a workspace to perform standard office work. Occasionally, the employee will attend Company programs and events in order to properly represent VAALA, including VFF in October 2021. 

 

The above statements describe the general nature and level of the work being performed for this position, and are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. VAALA’s management team reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.