Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Hybrid and in-person required Marin County, CA

Status: Year-round, regular, exempt, full-time.

Salary: $160,000

OVERVIEW:

The California Film Institute (CAFILM) seeks a visionary and experienced artistic director and film programmer to set the artistic, curatorial, and strategic direction for all film programming of the organization which offers festivals, year-round cinemas, and education programs. CAFILM is planning for the retirement of existing key leadership positions over the next three to five years and is seeking to bring in the next generation of programmatic leaders while consolidating visionary artistic leadership into one senior position.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Artistic Director will lead the programmatic direction for film festivals, year-round film exhibition in two art-house theaters, special events and performances, and youth and adult education offerings, including filmmaker services. A principal activity will be to guide the programming and evolution of the critically acclaimed, 11-day Mill Valley Film Festival while also fostering the unique characteristics of the DocLands Documentary Film Festival programming, year-round cinema exhibition, and film education. The Artistic Director is responsible for initiatives that foster new audiences, increase ticket sales and revenue generation, expand the organization's brand, and build the organization as a world-class destination for film while sustaining CAFILM's long-standing commitment to support, promote, and exhibit in unique films of merit.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial knowledge of and a passion for films and filmmaking; significant curating and programming experience at senior levels, preferably for both festivals and year-round cinematic exhibition; established relationships with studios, Independent Film distributors, and sales agents; and a proven ability to cultivate support for an organization's artistic goals and priorities.

ABOUT CAFILM:

Located in Marin County, California, CAFILM supports a mission to celebrate film as art and education by presenting the annual Mill Valley Film Festival and DocLands Documentary Film Festival, exhibiting film year-round at the non-profit Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center and Sequoia Cinema, and building the next generation of filmmakers and film lovers through CAFILM Education. Go to cafilm.org for more information about the organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vision, Strategy, and Leadership

1. Establish a shared artistic vision and the curatorial and strategic direction for all aspects of the CAFILM's programming in consultation with the Executive Director and other key staff members.
2. Oversee the development of an annual programming plan and budget to advance the organization's mission and achieve the priorities and objectives of the five-year strategic plan.
3. Work closely with the existing program and operational teams to guide the continued success of and the development and evolution of film festivals, year-round theater programs, and education.
4. Ensure and foster the uniqueness of festival and year-round cinema programming with a keen sensibility about the connection with audiences and commercial viability of the selected films and events.
5. Ensure a continuous process of gaining knowledge about existing and future audience interests and the film content, experiences, and operational services and technologies needed to support them.
6. Cultivate the experience, professional development, continuity, and rewards of the programming, education, and theater teams.

Collaboration

1. Ensure superior collaboration, communication, and synergies among the programming, festival, cinema, and education teams and all other operational, fundraising, marketing, and administrative support teams.
2. Establish and maintain superior relationships with film directors, producers, distributors, sales agents and other content creators.
3. Work closely with the development team to identify and help secure funds and sponsors to support annual and long-term programming plans.
4. Work closely with the marketing team to promote and market all programs to audiences and advance the brand and institutional marketing of the organization.

Communication

1. Introduce film screenings, engage in Q&A sessions with filmmakers and talent, select and book moderators and guests, facilitate panels, offer workshops, and engage in all other public presentation and leadership of film programs.
2. Participate in local, national and global media interviews.
3. Engage in the region's arts and cultural scene.
4. Write engaging content such as feature articles or film notes.
5. Serve as an organization ambassador at film festivals, industry gatherings, and other events and venues.

Team Development and Management

1. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the supervised functions, including budgeting, planning, and staff development.
2. Recruit and manage staff to support the development and execution of the strategy and plans.
3. Mentor and optimize staff talent and expertise using a consistent, supportive and collaborative approach.
4. Establish and monitor staff performance, and develop goals, assign accountabilities, establish priorities, conduct performance reviews, and recommend administer salary adjustments.
5. Ensure strong professional development and career pathway plans for directors and other team members.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have:

1. Passion for films and filmmaking, independent filmmaking, art-house cinema, and film education.
2. A record as an accomplished and effective curator and programmer and demonstrated experience conceptualizing and executing an artistic vision and plans.
3. Significant curating and programming experience for both festivals and year-round cinematic exhibition.
4. An engaging, informed, and charismatic presence that helps to retain and cultivate audiences and financial supporters.
5. A history of success as a respected leader with the ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and create a positive, collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment.
6. Familiarity with the programs and services of CAFILM.

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