Job Title: Film Program Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Classification: Exempt, Full Time
Benefits: Vacation and sick pay, health benefits
Schedule: M-F 9-5; non-standard including occasional evenings and weekends
Salary: $75,000 – $85,000
Start Date: October 1, 2023

Send cover letter and resume to jobs@sebarts.org

ABOUT SEBASTOPOL CENTER FOR THE ARTS (SEBARTS) 

Since 1988, SebARTS has provided a welcoming hub for artists and art enthusiasts  through high-quality programs and exhibitions in the visual, performing, literary  and film arts. SebArts is home to award-winning signature events, including  Sonoma County Art Trails, Art at the Source 

Open Studios, and the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. 

MISSION 

SebARTS is committed to cultivating creativity and inspiring appreciation for the  transformative power of art. We are dedicated to honoring diversity, encouraging  creative excellence, and providing a welcoming gathering place for the community  to: Experience Art, Make Art, Share Art and Celebrate Creative Thought. 

ABOUT THE SEBASTOPOL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival is a signature program of sebARTS: driven by an immense curiosity to learn and understand the lives of others, lives  different in experience from our own. SDFF exists to support independent  filmmakers in finding and expanding their audience. Submissions are encouraged  from every part of the world. Programmed films are chosen for excellence in craft,  character, storytelling and authenticity. 

There are as many ways to tell stories in film as there are filmmakers. Animation,  color, music, archival material, silence, laughter, reenactment … all are explored to  cross the gaps of unknown, underrepresented, unseen, unfelt experience and  truth. Knowing what it’s like for any life to wake to its existence can guide us in  critical thought.

JOB PURPOSE 

The Director of Film Programs is responsible for the overall planning and execution  of the Film Program at Sebastopol Center for the Arts.  

Included in the program is the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, the only  Oscar® qualifying film festival north of San Francisco to the Oregon border. SDFF  2023, our 16th year, was a resounding success featuring 63 films, craft & industry  conversations and a soft opening featuring film, food and dancing. More than 90  filmmakers, cast or crew attended. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE FILM PROGRAM OF SEBARTS 

1. Develop multi-year strategic plan for Film Program in concert with SebArts  exhibition and event plans. 
2. Oversee programming and scheduling of a year-round SebArts film schedule.
3. Collaborate with SebArts Marketing to include Film Program in SebArts homepage  and outreach promotion. 
4. Collaborate with the SebArts Advancement team to maintain and develop  ongoing fundraising and sponsorship opportunities and other business  relationships to secure and grow the festival’s funding base. 
5. Work closely with the Executive Director of SebArts to establish a fiscal budget.
6. In concert with the Executive Director of SebArts, negotiate and manage vendor  agreements and relationships. 

MANAGE DAILY OPERATIONS OF THE FILM PROGRAM 

1. As Director of Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, plan, develop and  implement all aspects of the Film Festival, including all documentary features,  shorts, special subjects, guests, events and venues. 
2. Chair regular meetings of the Film Program Steering Committee consisting of  managers of each operational area necessary to produce film programming and  Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. 
3. Oversee budget planning and fiscal management to ensure the Festival meets  budget projections. 
4. Promotion and oversight of Membership in The Film Society of SebArts.

MANAGE OVERALL FILM PROGRAM COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS 

1. Collaborate with the SebArts team on the development of Film Program (Events  and the Festival) overall marketing plan, creative campaign and materials  encompassing multiple media. 
2. In collaboration with SebArts Marketing Director, oversee public relations efforts, including oversight of any outside PR agency. 
3. Maintain strong content provider relationships: negotiate with distributors,  producers, filmmakers and sales agents to secure films for exhibition.
4. Oversee the ongoing updates to SDFF website. Continue to position the website  as an active hub that includes news about alumni filmmakers, industry  conversations and follow-up of topics brought to the festival in films and panels.
5. Oversee content, marketing plans, scheduling social media calendar as well as  program guide and any collateral material deemed necessary. 
6. Prepare engaging film introductions and professionally moderate or arrange for  moderation of on-stage guest appearances, introduction of films and other  programs. 

EXPERIENCE WITH THE FOLLOWING 

• Directing Film Events 
• Knowledge of audience 
• Development of supporting events 
• Global resources and content 
• Working with Executive Director 
• Budget Development 
• Strategic Planning 
• Defining Measurable Goals and Progress Reporting 
• Management of Volunteer teams and Non-Profit organizations Fundraising – including grants, direct donations, events 
• Coordination of teams 
• Project Management 
• Interest and knowledge in the ‘business’ of independent film is a huge asset. 

EDUCATION 

Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated relevant equivalent experience. 

EXPERIENCE 

• 7+ years of experience in a relevant role to include film festival programming, fundraising, and communications
• Proven leadership skills with personnel management and organizational planning
• Strong foundation in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles Proven  experience developing donor relationships and community partnerships Familiarity with digital media and strategy to target and increase audience engagement  Demonstrated written and oral communication skills 
• Demonstrated ability to create strategic plans that unite multiple campaigns,  outputs, and channels toward common goals, including identifying metrics of  success Demonstrated organizational skills, initiative, attention to detail, and ability  to set and meet deadlines 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Knowledge and experience with the following tools: 
• FilmFreeway 
• Airtable 
• Eventive 
• Google Tools (Gmail, drive, docs, etc.) others that would be helpful – Vimeo,  Dropbox, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat  
• This role requires a comprehensive knowledge of institutional organizational  practices, and relationship building 
• It requires exceptional interpersonal and social skills, professional appearance and  ability to work in social environments such as receptions, film screening and  engagement events 
• It requires a working knowledge of digital arts and a demonstrated interest in film 
• It requires a strong commitment to follow through and completion on work tasks. It  requires comfort and experience in public speaking 
• Strong administrative skills and the ability to work efficiently and avoid being  overwhelmed by minutia 
• Flexibility working with a small leadership team and staff 
• Patience and kindness working with large cohort of volunteers and artists Preferred 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong leadership experience with non-profit art center organization Working Conditions
• This is a full-time position with work hours occasionally outside regular business  hours, evenings and weekends. Work in the office is typical and important to build  the esprit de corps among the team. Work from home is available when necessary. The work is largely behind a desk and in meetings in the office and elsewhere.  Some travel may be required but is not typical. 
• SebARTS is a public venue, so interacting with the public and artist volunteers is  typical. 

Job Type: Full-time 
Pay: $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year 
Benefits:

Flexible schedule 
Health insurance 
Paid time off 

Work Location: In person 

Send cover letter and resume to jobs@sebarts.org