Maryland Film Festival Blog

The Maryland Film Festival is always seeking volunteers! Have fun! Earn free screening vouchers! Be part of the excitement in Downtown Baltimore, May 3-6, 2012! At the 14th Annual Festival, we need more volunteers than ever to support filmmakers as well as the diverse, eclectic community of film lovers in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Many volunteer opportunities are available: Box Office, Tent Village, Filmmakers Lounge, Theatre Ushers, and more! You will be our front line ambassador, greeting guests from around the world!

REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, must enjoy serving the public, and must be committed to fulfilling assigned shifts.

BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEERS: In appreciation of your assistance, you receive an MFF limited edition t-shirt and for each four (4) hour shift worked (and you can work as many shifts as you’d like), you earn a free screening voucher or $5 toward merchandise. Water and light snacks will be provided during your shift. The week after the festival, you are invited to a special “Volunteers Only” screening of one of the most popular films of MFF 2012.

SPREAD THE WORD: Please help us to recruit other committed volunteers. Invite your friends and family, co-workers, fellow students, church members, and others who at least 18 years of age or older! We can’t have too many volunteers!

HOW TO VOLUNTEER: To receive a volunteer application, please contact us today! mffvolunteers@gmail.com. If you have already emailed us to sign up, you will receive an application by email. We will begin contacting volunteers in Spring 2012, so keep this in mind when you apply!

Street Team Volunteers
Come to the Festival offices and pick up posters to distribute in Baltimore City and other areas. Earn screening vouchers early.

Tech Checks
Report to Tech Supervisor. Work with filmmakers before/during screenings to ensure quality picture and sound presentation. Act as communication liaison between filmmaker and projectionist. See some movies during shift. SOME KNOWLEDGE OF FILM PRESENTATION (including digital) AND A BASIC TECHNICAL VOCABULARY NECESSARY. Students of film and video encouraged to apply.

Filmmakers Lounge Crew
Help with Filmmaker Hospitality, answering questions, etc. Keep areas clean and tidy. Assist MFF staff as necessary.

Tent Village Staff
Work with the public, answering questions, directing foot traffic, emptying trash cans, running errands, assisting Tent Village Coordinator with events. Keep areas tidy, organized.

Box Office Cashiers
Sell tickets to the public onsite or over the phone.
(6 cashiers needed all shifts each day except Thursday, only 2 as part of the Opening Night Crew.)

Merchandise Table Staff
Sell Merchandise. Interact with the public, answer questions, etc.

“Friends of the Festival” (FOF) Table Staff
Help sell Memberships to become a “Friend of the Festival”. Interact with the public, answer questions, etc. Must be outgoing and friendly, sales experience a plus.

MICA Location Support
Answer questions, direct patron foot traffic, help sell tickets and usher at a very low-key and laid back satellite location, MICA Brown Center.

MD Film Fest Onsite Phone Support
Answer phones, answer questions, provide driving/walking directions, venue information. Provide light administrative support. Report to Film Festival Staff, who will provide training.

Theater Captains
Report to House Manager and assist with crowd flow as patrons enter and exit screenings.

Theater Ushers
Report to Theater Captain on duty. Greet public, answer questions. Tear Tickets, help usher as needed. Help tidy between screenings.

Opening Night Crew
May 3rd. 6:30pm – 12am.  Help load in and set up opening night party, etc. Enjoy yourself at the gala affair while still helping to keep things running smoothly during the festivities. Help break down.

Closing Night Crew
May 6th. 6:30pm – 12am.  Help load in and set up, enjoy yourself while providing support for closing night party, also aid in break down.

Monday Clean Up
After the festival, help with the clean up. Traditionally understaffed, yet very important, we will offer extra rewards to those who sign up early.

Volunteer Floaters Who Are Up for Anything!
Assist in covering any of the above positions to ensure coverage, relieve volunteers who need breaks, assist with general cleanliness, and help festival goers who appear lost. Flexibility and friendliness are key.

Shuttle Drivers
Drive filmmakers and visitors in large passenger vans while in full communication with other drivers and with the Travel and Transportation Coordinator.