The Syracuse International Film Festival relies on dedicated volunteers to create a welcoming and professional experience for filmmakers and audiences.
Here are the ongoing volunteer roles available:
Ushers- Greet attendees, guide them to their seats, assist with seating arrangements, and ensure a smooth flow of traffic in and out of screening venues. Ushers help create a warm first impression and maintain order during sold-out screenings.
Concessions- Operate concession stands, handle cash and card transactions, serve food and beverages, maintain cleanliness of concession areas, and ensure adequate stock throughout events. This role keeps audiences fed and happy during the festival.
Ticketing- Check tickets at venue entrances, assist with will-call pickups, help attendees with ticket questions or issues, and direct guests to appropriate screening rooms. Ticketing volunteers are the first point of contact for many festival-goers.
Q&A Assistance- Help facilitate post-screening Q&A sessions with filmmakers and cast members. This includes managing microphones for audience questions, keeping sessions on schedule, and assisting moderators as needed.
Security- Monitor venue entrances and exits, ensure only ticketed guests enter screenings, assist with crowd control during high-attendance events, and help maintain a safe environment for all attendees and equipment.
Panel Support- Assist with panel discussions and industry events by setting up microphones and equipment, managing audience questions, keeping panels on schedule, and supporting panelists with any technical or logistical needs.
Setup and Breakdown- Help prepare venues before screenings and events by arranging seating, setting up signage, preparing registration areas, and other pre-event tasks. After events, assist with breaking down equipment, clearing venues, and restoring spaces to their original condition.
Photographer- Capture candid and staged photos of screenings, red carpet arrivals, Q&A sessions, panels, and festival atmosphere. Document the festival experience for promotional materials, social media, and archival purposes.
Videographer- Record screenings, Q&A sessions, panels, and festival highlights. Create video content for promotional use, social media, and festival archives. May also assist with live-streaming events.
