FILM AND EVENT SPECIALIST, WORLD TOUR

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of a college or university degree in business, film, event production, project management, arts administration, or equivalent transferable experience
• 3-5 years’ experience working in an administrative capacity, preferably in a post-secondary or client service environment
• Project and production scheduling skills are essential
• Specialized training in event planning or film production administration is an asset
• Film festival or special events experience is an asset
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, and competent working with custom software programs and using internet and web-based communication methods, adept at new technologies, software applications, and digital platforms
• Proven organizational expertise and the ability to manage multiple projects and large volumes of information at once with high level of attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, to lead by example, and to problem-solve creatively
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to think and act quickly
• Demonstrated experience working with a broad range of artists
• Customer-centric approach, which results in exceptional customer service delivery, especially when managing communications with a high volume of contacts
• Reliable, with the ability to work under broad direction without close supervision
• Effective communication skills and a strong team player
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and tasks
• Proficiency in other languages is an asset
• Knowledge of the outdoor industry, its culture, and the players involved is an asset; knowledge of the mountain film industry is especially relevant

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• During the festival period, this position requires the candidate to be available to work a flexible, irregular schedule and weekends.

Reporting to the World Tour Manager, below are some key accountabilities:

Contacts & Communication

• Provides exceptional customer service delivery and demonstrates the ability to find solutions to problems when dealing with internal or external clients, artists, participants, employees, resident guests, or public that may be uncooperative or seem demanding
• Acts as the primary point of contact and facilitates communication between the Festival and World Tour teams, Production and external groups such as filmmakers, and possibly other Banff Centre departments, employing effective problem-solving methods in order to ensure a successful festival and tour delivery.
• Initiates and maintains extensive external contact with filmmakers, producers, distributors and production companies, venue technicians, tour hosts, sponsors and film festivals in all matters regarding film acquisition, content, programming and delivery, as well as festival and tour event production.
• Negotiates and uses persuasion in order to acquire films and film licenses from external contacts; expected to use sound judgment and knowledge of Film Festival rules and regulations, the mountain film industry and licensing procedures when doing so in order to achieve desired result; empowered with the ability to waive and negotiate entry fees.
• Uses sound judgment, diplomacy and conflict/problem resolution skills when communicating with a variety of external and internal stakeholders in individual as well as group settings.
• Assists in the development of critical paths and project plans; and oversees the execution and implementation of these plans.

Film Programming & Production

• Researches and actively recruits film programming from filmmakers, distributors and production companies, and other film festivals.
• Maintains knowledge of current industry events, trends and new releases through regular research in relevant periodicals, journals, catalogues, internet sites, etc. and regular communication with other international festivals.
• Processes information on incoming Festival and World Tour film entries and masters, maintaining and updating all information in all software platforms, website and database, ensuring the integrity of film data.
• Working with the Senior Technical Producer and general Production team, determines required film format conversions and expedites the process by working with internal and external service providers.
• As part of the film selection team with the World Tour Manager, Festival Manager, and Director, Festival & World Tour, provides input into the final program selection Festival, World Tour, and online programming.
• Executes final Festival, World Tour, and online film programs; prepares licensing agreements, reconciles film-specific reports for filmmakers, tour hosts and finance.
• Coordinates the transcription, open/closed-caption and subtitling processes for all film programming.
• Arranges all details for the pre-selection process including the scheduling, recruiting and coordination of volunteers, determination and acquisition of technical online systems and equipment, administration of logistics and provision of input into the rating and ultimate inclusion/exclusion of films.
• Prepares regular reports for Director, Festival & World Tour including, but not limited to, films entered to date, hit list status, film pre-screening results, film finalists, film licensing status.
• Makes recommendations for improvements to filmmaker support such as programs or networking events for the Festival, the World Tour and online film programming.
• Makes recommendations for changes to existing procedures, services and documents which impact the Festival and World Tour and other departments (i.e., modifications to entry form rules and regulations; changes to procedure of levying and collecting film entry fees: Financial Services impact; modifications to authoring and duplication procedures: Production Services impact).
• Provides input into general Mountain Culture and Event programming.
• Coordinates set-up and monitoring of on-demand screening processes and oversees volunteers for the Festival and World Tour.
• Works closely with the Director, Festival & World Tour and the Production team on all film related events such as screenings, award ceremony, and socials.
• Responsible for the creation and updates of projectionists’ lists during the Festival.
• Expedites smooth and cost-effective receipt and delivery of film related assets (masters, awards), including communication with Banff Centre receiving, and external customs brokers where required.
• Works with respective government organizations to ensure all film content has been classified and cleared as per provincial regulations.
• Completes post-Festival and World Tour correspondence and follow-up with film finalists and film entrants.
• Assists jury coordinator in jury process as required.
• Supports all film-related aspects of other screenings including Banff Centre conference screenings, International Mountain Day, Lux screenings and all other special events.

Financial Responsibilities

• Supports and works within approved budget, to ensure that overall financial expectations are realized in relation to film licensing, film competition, and Festival and World Tour delivery.
• Reconciles and submits payments for filmmaker licensing fees according to Banff Centre policies.
• Financial responsibilities include preparation and submission for a variety of financial elements (purchase requisitions, Banff Centre purchasing cards, cheque requisitions, and other required documents).
• Provides support for budget development.
• Monitors budgets and expenditures through approved tracking systems.