Calling All Volunteers

Volunteer Schedules

Venue Schedule | Special Events Schedule | Advance Ticket Sales Schedule

Cinefest 2011 is just a few short weeks away, and we are looking for a few good volunteers. Why should I volunteer, you ask! Here are a few reasons why.

  • Earn comp tickets to films! These never expire and can be used for Cinefest or QFest. (We have folks using their comps this year that they earned last year.)
  • Earn comp tickets to parties! 2 comp tickets get you into the opening party. Only 1 comp ticket gets you into the closing night festivities.
  • Meet people and make new friends. We have at least one marriage of folks who met while volunteering!
  • Support the film community. The festival would not be possible without the volunteers.
  • Please take a look a the following information to see the many ways you can support the festival as a volunteer, the schedule of trainings and then contact the Volunteer Department at volunteer@phillycinema.org or at 267-765-9800 x 4 to sign up for the appropriate training session.

    If you are a new or a returning volunteer who would like to sign up, come to one of the General Sessions to learn more about Cinefest 2011 and the roles volunteers play.

  • Tuesday, March 22, TLA Offices, 4th Floor, 234 Market Street - 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 26, TLA Offices, 4th Floor, 234 Market Street - 11:00 AM
  • Managers and Box Office personnel MUST attend a training session. All returning volunteers may begin to sign up for shifts at their respective training sessions or by contacting the Volunteer Department beginning Wednesday, March 23. Currently, we only have one training scheduled but will be adding another.

  • Wednesday, March 23, TLA Offices, 4th Floor, 234 Market Street - 6:30 PM
  • Volunteer Positions

    Usher

    The Usher takes tickets, hands out/collects ballots before and after films. During films, duties also include counting ballots for audience awards & ticket stubs to note film attendance. While it is possible that ushers may see part of the film during their shift, they will spend the beginning and end of each screening in the lobby, greeting Festival patrons. No Usher may leave their post without permission from the manager.
    1 film voucher per shift

    Greeter

    Similar to an Usher, the Greeter is a position that serves as the "face of the festival." The role of the Greeter is to provide an upbeat, energetic vibe as patrons enter the theatre lobby, while controlling the traffic flow and crowd direction, before and after a film. The Greeter must be personable, energetic, and constantly smiling! Duties also may include assisting festival patrons and taking on ushering tasks when necessary.
    1 film voucher per shift

    Box Office

    The Box Office Volunteer sells day-of-show tickets at the venues. Duties include filling out all the Box Office paperwork, keeping track of tickets sold for each show and the day’s cash sales. Box office volunteers NEVER see the films on their shifts.
    2 film vouchers per shift

    Advanced Ticket Sales

    These shifts are either at the Festival Ticketing Office or a TLA Video store location. Duties include selling tickets and taking cash, check or credit card payments, either in person or over the phone. Computer and customer service skills are required. We reserve the right to screen volunteers for this position.
    1 film voucher per shift

    Manager

    The Manager is the primary position at the venue. Duties include overseeing the volunteer staff and ensuring a smooth run of the theatre venue. Distinctly, the Manager is in charge of traffic flow: managing the lines, determining when the audience can enter a theatre, maintaining crowd control and handling issues and complaints. The Manager NEVER sees the films on their shifts. Managers must have some sort of previous management experience, receive clearance by the Operations Staff before signing up and must attend a Manager/Box Office training session.
    2 film vouchers per shift

    Special Events

    This position involves various Festival parties and events; selling or taking tickets at the door, monitoring attendance, greeting people, directing traffic flow, etc. There will be alcohol served at festival events. Volunteers are forbidden to drink while on duty.
    1 film voucher per shift

    Distribution:

    This job entails delivering program guides and festival literature around your area, replenishing once supplies run out. A car and extra help may be required, based on distribution locations. Required is a list of drop off locations and amounts before vouchers are given.
    1 film voucher per 4 boxes distributed

    You may begin to sign up for shifts following the training.

    Soon we will have the volunteer and training schedules, along with other volunteer information, online at our website phillycinefest.com.

    We’re looking forward to seeing you at the trainings.

    Claire Kohler, Director of Production
    Steve Saturn, Managing Director/Volunteer Coordinator
    267-765-9800, ext 4
    volunteer@phillycinema.org