Upcoming Roles With CUFF

Programming Assistant

Position Type:
Flexible, year-round festival support role. The level of involvement will vary throughout the year, with increased activity leading into and during the April festival. There are no fixed weekly hours, and the role is intended to accommodate a flexible level of participation.

Location:
Work is primarily done from home, with some in-person meetings. On-site during the April 15-25, 2027 festival.

Term:
We are hoping the right candidate will be involved year-round, with increased involvement leading into and during the April festival.

Honorarium: A monthly honorarium will be provided in recognition of the individual's contributions to the festival. The honorarium may vary based on the level and nature of involvement and is not calculated on an hourly basis. Reasonable approved expenses will be reimbursed separately.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Programming Assistant supports the research, administration, communication, and delivery of the festival’s annual film program. Working closely with the programming team, this role helps track submissions, research independent and international titles, liaise with filmmakers and distributors, maintain programming records, and support the transition from selection to public presentation. The role also acts as a bridge between programming and marketing, helping translate the curatorial intent of the festival into clear, accurate, and compelling public-facing materials.

This is an ideal role for someone with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a deep interest in independent, international, genre, documentary, experimental, and artist-driven cinema. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a small festival environment where curation, community, hospitality, and logistics all overlap.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities can range from, or may include:

• Assist with submission intake, tracking, eligibility checks, screener links, and filmmaker communication.
• Support the programming team in researching Canadian, international, independent, genre, cult, documentary, animated, experimental, and short-form work.
• Maintain accurate programming databases, notes, filmmaker contacts, film specs, premiere status, rights information, and availability details.
• Communication support with partner organizations.
• Help prepare selection materials, internal viewing notes, shortlists, and meeting documents.
• Support catalogue and website content by gathering synopses, credits, stills, trailers, content notes, accessibility details, and technical information.
• Assist with creating the festival schedule.
• Provide on-site programming support during the festival, including guest support, audience ballots and filmmaker check-ins.
• Contribute to post-festival reporting, archive updates, thank-you communications, and program documentation.
• Support marketing in the festival database (Zone Festival) with timely programming information for selected films, including synopses, credits, stills, trailers, filmmaker bios, content notes, premiere status, and key selling points.
• Help identify audience hooks for programmed films, including genre appeal, local connections, awards, notable cast/crew, community relevance, cult interest, topical themes, or filmmaker attendance.
• Assist with proofreading and fact-checking film descriptions, website listings, newsletters, social posts, ads, press releases, and printed program materials.
• Flag films that may benefit from targeted outreach to specific communities, partner organizations, campus groups, arts audiences, genre fans, or cultural associations.
• Coordinate with marketing on filmmaker assets, pull quotes, trailer availability, poster art, social handles, and approved promotional language.
• Help ensure marketing materials reflect the tone and intent of the programming, especially for independent, international, experimental, underground, or sensitive works.
• Previewing films in advance of the festival.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in independent film, international cinema, genre film, documentary, underground film, media arts, or festival culture.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing detailed information across spreadsheets, databases, and shared documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with artists, distributors, staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Comfortable balancing deadlines, shifting priorities, and seasonal festival intensity.
• Familiarity with film festival submission platforms, ticketing systems, CRMs, or basic media formats is an asset.
• Knowledge of Calgary, Alberta, Canadian, or international independent film communities is an asset.
• Availability for some evenings and weekends, especially during the festival period.

Working Style

This role suits someone curious, precise, calm under pressure, and genuinely excited by films that may sit outside the mainstream. The Programming Assistant should bring good judgment, discretion, and a collaborative spirit to a small team environment.

Equity Statement

We encourage applications from people who bring diverse lived experiences, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomer, and low-income communities, and others historically underrepresented in arts and film organizations.

How to apply

To apply or find out more details about the time commitment, please email your resume and inquiries to: cuff[@]calgaryundergroundfilm.org