The POZEZ JCC OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (the J) seeks a highly motivated, creative, and outgoing individual to direct our ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia (each February). The festival director will work c. 10 hours per week year-round and contribute to the direction and presentation of the J’s beloved and much anticipated annual film festival, now entering our 12 year. The ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Over 11 years, the festival has partnered with dozens of cultural and direct-service organizations across the DMV as well as faith-based communities to bring stigma smashing films to a diverse audience in person and online. Northern Virginia is one of 15+ cities hosting events presented by ReelAbilities International, headquartered in Manhattan, NY.
The position reports to the Senior Director of Community Impact and Engagement. The director will also collaborate with other departments at the J, including the Inclusion and Disabilities Services and Adult Services departments. Learn more at www.theJ.org/ReelAbilities.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree and/or three+ years successful experience in film/events programming and presentation
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer and social media literacy, ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues and lay leaders, possess a good sense of humor
- A passion for film and the arts
- Knowledge and experience in the disability community
- A high energy, eloquent, people-person, able to command a presence in a room and offer exceptional customer service in-person, by phone, and over email
Essential Position Duties:
- Planning, administrating and delivering of one film festival a year (each February during Jewish Disabilities Inclusion and Awareness Month) to a diverse audience of J members and the community at large
- Continue existing partnerships with collaborators and venues, including local arts and community organizations (within and beyond Jewish Community), and forge new organizational relationships
- Serve as the primary contact for off-site screening venues
- Work closely with the J’s Production and Facilities Manager for in-house events, providing detailed event setup plans
- Coordinate event logistics including staffing, presenter travel and hospitality, and box office
- Drive the film selection process and staff the volunteer festival committee: Research and disseminate screeners for festival committee members and track incoming evaluations.
- Maintain existing and foster new positive relationships with ReelAbilities International staff, filmmakers and distributors with open communication and timely payment of screening fees.
- Populate and maintain internal and external event calendars for all meetings and programs
- Coordinate volunteer involvement by planning, creating agendas for, and staffing virtual Festival Committee Meetings. Recruit and train additional volunteers as needed. Maintain positive relationships with all volunteer committee members
- Continue cultivating an audience for the festival from within the J’s membership as well as the community at large
- Work with the J’s Marketing Staff to increase public awareness, commanding a social media presence, assist in writing media releases, and conducting artist and community interviews
- Work with the J’s Development Staff to identify and cultivate individual, corporate, government, and foundation funding sources
- Coordinate with venues, post-film speakers, and other guests, creating contracts, booking travel & lodging, and gathering publicity materials
- Participate in major functions at the J as well as functions and occasional meetings for other agencies with whom we partner, when in the service of advancing the festival
- Create and actively promote a comfortable and welcoming environment where every participant and colleague is treated with dignity and respect in a friendly, radically inclusive, and personal manner
- Anticipate and be responsive to patron needs and requests
- Perform other related duties as required or directed
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $13,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 8 – 10 per week
Experience level:
Experience:
- Management: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Fairfax, VA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person