Application Deadline: May 31, 2012

The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) operates Western Canada’s largest film festival, one of the five largest in North America. Established in 1982, the VIFF draws an audience of 150,000 per year. VIFF also operates the annual Film and Television Forum and the Vancouver International Film Centre, with its year-round programming at the Vancity Theatre.

VIFF is currently seeking an, organized, versatile Intern with good computer and administration skills, strong attention to detail, project coordination and interpersonal skills. The Sponsorship & Development Assistant (Intern) will join a small dedicated Development & Communications department, providing critical administrative assistance.  She/he will also provide important support for VIFF’s initiatives to celebrate VIFF’s 31th festival.

This full-time unpaid internship is for 4 months (starting mid June to mid October 2012) exact dates are somewhat flexible.

This position will provide an excellent opportunity for those interested in gaining hands-on experience working at film festivals, with development and sponsorship, and with special events/project coordination.  The position is suitable for a recent graduate or those interested in obtaining real work experience in the arts or development communities.

Please note:  Due to the festival environment and timelines, applicants must be available to work long hours including evenings and weekends – particularly from August to mid October.  Applicant must be available every day from September 24 to October 12, 2012.

Intern Outcomes and Responsibilities:

• Experience working for one of North America’s top five Film Festivals.
• Administrative experience, such as: working with ticket allocation, sponsorship benefit fulfilment, dealing with tight time-lines, preparing excel spreadsheets and correspondence, working with a comprehensive data base, and supporting the Sponsorship and Development team.
• Some support at galas, especially with sponsors and donors.
• Greeting sponsors and VIPs.
• Experience managing sponsor logos and advertising material/approvals.

Skills, Experience and Personal Attributes Required:

• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Excellent computer skills, email, Word, Excel, and data bases.
• Ability to produce work under tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Positive, friendly, with a can-do attitude and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adapt to new priorities and work on several difference projects as once.
• Ability to take direction.
• Superior customer service skills.
• Other festival experience and/or a background in marketing/sponsorship/hospitality an asset.
• Possession of a driver’s licence an asset.

VIFF Will Provide:

• We are committed to providing our part of an excellent internship experience by assigning varied tasks, the opportunity to learn, and exposure to the operation of a film festival.
• The Sponsorship and Development Assistant Intern will become a valued member of the team.
• A dedicated workspace, computer, email, etc.
• Reference letters upon successful completion of the internship.
• Complimentary passes to films – we are able to provide intern passes quite often!

To Apply:

Confidential expressions of interest from qualified intern candidates should be directed to: Michele d’Eon, Sponsorship and Development Coordinator.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter summarizing your qualifications, experience and availability by May 31, 2012 indicating Sponsor Intern in the subject line.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those requested for an interview will be contacted due to the volume of applications anticipated.  No phone calls please.

This is very unfortunate and has put us in an impossible situation not of our own making. We have done our best within the available hours since early evening yesterday to consult with a wide range of our stakeholders, sponsors and participants about the options available to us. Efforts at finding a good solution have failed. Unfortunately there has simply not been time to move this large event elsewhere, given the complicated logistics involved.

At times today we have been convinced that the best course of action would be to cancel the Gala entirely. However, the majority of stakeholders and supporters of VIFF are encouraging us not to cancel this once-a-year event. We acknowledge the legitimacy of widely divergent points of view and are grateful for everyone’s support. We count on it to survive, so we hope that people do not for forget our purpose as a not-for-profit arts organization.

Our gala tonight was planned to include approximately 1500 invitees ranging from visiting international filmmakers to sponsors and supporters at all levels of involvement with VIFF. One of the principal means of us repaying their support is through our production of this large-scale celebration. We will proceed with that. We are assured by the Rocky Mountaineer Station of safe access for all attendees.