Festival Liaison, Artist Relations - Sundance Institute

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Liaison acts as a Festival host for an assigned group of guests and artists who have been invited to participate in the official Sundance Film Festival program.

Working closely under the direction of the Director and Manager of Artist Relations, and with the support of the Associate Manager, you will support Sundance Institute’s commitment to providing an excellent experience for our artists throughout the months leading up to the Festival, during the Festival itself (including both live and online screenings and events), and post-Festival during wrap, while playing an integral role in Festival operations.

This temporary position works full time from Wednesday, November 6 or Wednesday, November 20, 2024 through Tuesday, February 4, 2025 and will be required to work extended hours, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet key deadlines and respond to on-call needs as assigned. This position must be based within a commutable distance to our Park City, UT office in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout its employment. There will be ample opportunity for remote work leading up to the Festival in January. A total of 8 roles are available.

Top priorities include, but are not limited to...

• Communicating with and developing a working relationship with assigned filmmakers, jurors, panelists, artists or other Festival guests after they have been invited by Festival programmers and Institute programs, handling a high volume of communications in a tight timeline, and ensuring that systems of organization are kept up-to-date.

• Collecting, entering, and maintaining accurate guest and artist information in the Festival Post Acceptance Form (PAF) and Festival Program Guide (FPG) via the Festival Content Management System (CMS) and tracking documents.

• Responsible for all guest and artist benefits, which may include; screening tickets, artist packages, credentials, passes, stipends, booking travel, arranging lodging, coordinating ground transportation, and mailing Festival materials and items.

• Accurately tracking and maintaining assigned category budget.

• Gathering Festival guest and artist information for Festival publications and online site, and proofreading content before print and launch.

• Acting as a responsive Festival lead for each filmmaker, juror, panelist, artist or other Festival guest, including providing a Festival orientation, and being on call 24/7 to ensure guests and artists have all the critical information and support they need before, during, and after the Festival.

• Serving as point on all communications about the Festival, including screenings and events and acting as facilitators at theaters or event venues in-person, on the phone, via Zoom, or on our online Festival platform, including providing resolution and trouble-shooting

• Providing general onsite support with all Artist Relations Festival guests wherever needed, in addition to guests in their assigned categories.

• Serving as an operational team member and being available for all relevant meetings, screenings, and events pertinent to Festival guests and artists.

• Act as Filmmaker/Artist lead for internal departments across the Institute including, Festival Programming, Press Office, Theater Operations, Events, Tech, Advancement, and Safety & Security.

• Collaborating with and leading department volunteers during the Festival.

• Writing a complete wrap report, that includes archiving relevant documents and information in the Festival database, department folders, and appropriate tracking documents.

• Coordinating thank-you emails and post-Festival surveys for guests and artists, and finalizing any outstanding correspondence, and department accounting.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• 2 years experience in operations around guest and artist relations including, communication, travel, benefits, hosting and operational support, or related.

• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with a variety of people.

• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Working knowledge of databases along with proficiency in Zoom and Google Products.

• Proficiency in digital communication tools.

• Experience proofreading online and print content preferred.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Successfully host all of the film/artist teams and invited guests within your assigned categories, ensuring that they feel supported and have a clear understanding of expectations before, during and after the Festival.

• Meet all applicable deadlines, remain calm and organized, and look for ways to support your fellow liaisons, the department, and the Festival as a whole.

• Provide efficient, clear, and accurate communications to assigned film/artist teams and guests.

In addition to an hourly pay of $20.32, this position is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:

• Paid sick leave and Institute holidays

• Employee assistance program

• Employee Wellness Initiatives

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)