Leiden Shorts is looking to fill the following volunteer positions:

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

(f/m/x | part-time | volunteer with fee)

After 14 successful editions, Leiden Shorts is ready to take on a new direction in the next stage of its existence. Therefore, Leiden Shorts is seeking a professional, creative leader to take the festival’s vision and support for short film to the next level. 

We are looking for a Festival Director who provides a personal vision to the festival and re-establishes a new creative direction in accordance with the current movements in filmmaking and society. The Festival Director is able to grow the festival with a focus on outreach and audience numbers, collaborate with other festivals, and engage in the Dutch arts and cultural sector. 

The chosen candidate will be instrumental in bringing strategic ideas and creative vision to all Leiden Shorts activities, bringing these to fruition whilst leading and inspiring the festival team.

Candidates must have proven management capabilities, excellent multi-tasking skills, a love of short films and a broader interest in (inter)national art and culture scene. We support flexible working locations and hours, and welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Key responsibilities

As the festival director you will develop and lead a team of around five heads of departments. The new organizational structure is available in draft and will be developed further in collaboration with one core team member and the Leiden Shorts board of directors.

Vision, Strategy and Leadership

• Establish a shared artistic vision, and the curatorial and strategic direction for all aspects of the organization
• Appoint and manage the Head Programmer and the Finance Officer in developing an annual programming plan and budget to advance the organization’s mission 
• Work closely with the Heads of fundraising and outreach teams to guide the development and growth of the festival, and to advance the institutional marketing of the festival
• Stay current on best practices and the issues and trends in film culture, independent film and the wider film industry

Team Development and Management 

• Manage and lead heads of departments and executive assistant
• Assess and monitor staff performance, develop personal development goals, set objectives, accountabilities and priorities, manage fee goals and adjustments in collaboration with the finance officer

Networking

• Nurture and expand existing partner organizations and individuals in the Netherlands and beyond who desire to collaborate in the presentation and promotion of year-round programming 
• Develop new connections with university and other education institutions, relevant communities, and cultural partners to develop and implement joint programming. 
• Give interviews to local and national media pertaining to the programming, films and filmmakers. 

Personal competencies

• Natural leadership style, the ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others
• A proven multitasker capable of juggling numerous and distinct priorities and relationships, under pressure
• Personable self-confidence, able to work independently
• Able to take decisions, accountability and ownership 
• Ability to find proactive, creative solutions to problems 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; within the team, with sponsors & partners and with audiences 

Knowledge and experience

Besides a palpable passion for films and the art and science of filmmaking, we are looking for:

• Demonstrated experience conceptualizing and executing an artistic vision and plans; 
• Demonstrated experience with leading and working in a team and/or experience working in a similar position
• Demonstrated (basic) knowledge of budgeting and proposal writing
• A view on organizational structures and processes
• Experience working in the arts and culture sector
• Relevant and proven knowledge of film and arts festivals 

• Desirable, but not essential: 
  • Able to read in Dutch 
  • Understanding of technical processes associated with film exhibition 
  • Experience with curation and/or programming 

The average workload per year is one day per week. The peak of the work is four months in advance of the festival, for which an average commitment of 20 hours per week is expected. 

What we offer

An inspiring environment and a fun, experienced and international team of passionate  volunteers to work with. Leiden Shorts provides a unique platform to develop creative ideas and collaborate with the Dutch cultural sector as well as with the international festival circuit. You will visit other film festivals in the Netherlands and possibly abroad. The role is on a freelance basis with an expected volunteer fee for each festival cycle of EUR 8000. Further questions can be directed to the secretary of the board: jobs@leidenshorts.nl.

Please send your motivation letter for this position along with a CV to the board of directors via jobs@leidenshorts.nl by Friday 13 January 2023 at 5pm.

 

VOLUNTEER GENERAL

You haven’t found something for you but you would still like to help…

We’re always looking for new volunteers to join the team as reviewers, side events curators, and administrative and financial tasks.  No particular experience is required for these positions, as long as you are passionate (about film), motivated, independent and open-minded.

Feel free to reach out at any time via jobs@leidenshorts.nl and specify VACANCY VOLUNTEER GENERAL in the subject of the email.