Manager of Programming

Date Posted: Mar 14, 2023
Application Deadline: Apr 02, 2023
Start Date: May 01, 2023

Salary From: 50K To 50K
Province: Ontario
Region: Metro Toronto Area
City: Toronto
Employee Benefits: Health, Other (e.g. flex time, comp tickets, etc.)
Check Additional Info section for more Employee Benefits
Organization's Field/Discipline: The Arts
Job's focus: Creative & Administrative
Job Type: Full-time
Career Level: Upper management

Organization Description

Created in 2003, RPFF is Toronto’s longest running free film festival and is the sole community film festival in Canada’s largest and oldest public housing neighbourhood. RPFF is dedicated to showcasing local and international independent works relevant to the key communities we serve: Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities, people who are low-income, people who live in public housing, and Regent Park residents. The films we present reflect key themes such as, immigration, urban issues, race, gender and cultural identity. RPFF’s mandate is to organize free year-round screenings, panel discussions, professional training and an annual film festival.

Job Description

About the Position  

• Job Type: Full-time, one-year contract with opportunity to renew (averaging 40 hours/week, including occasional evenings and weekends)
• Compensation: $50,000 + benefits including health and dental insurance, and annual professional development funds
• Place of work: RPFF office and remote work at home 
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Direct Report: Program Coordinator (6-month contract position)
• Anticipated Start Date: May 1, 2023 (flexible depending on availability)

About the Role 

Programming & Partnerships (40%)

• Lead film submissions, research, scouting, solicitation, screening and scoring
• Reporting to the Executive Director, adhere to the mandate of RPFF to:  
  • Develop, plan and deliver year-round programming (Under the Stars, community screenings, school program, industry programs and others) 
  • Plan and deliver the theme, schedule and all programming for the Annual Film Festival in November (General program, Shorts program, School Program + lesson plans, Family Day programming, Professional Development/Industry programming, film talkback panels, Emerging Directors’ Pitch Competition and any special exhibitions/projects)
  • Develop programming partnerships and work with community organizations,  filmmakers, artists, industry professionals, distributors, producers and programming partners to deliver aforementioned programming 
• Represent RPFF at relevant meetings and events including other film festivals to  develop relationships with filmmakers, distributors and industry professionals 
• Work with Operations team to coordinate print traffic and event production, and  communicate technical and logistical details and requirements 
• Introduce screenings, and organize and facilitate select talkbacks and Q&A sessions  
• Participate in guest relations duties during the Festival 

• Adhere to critical path and administrative processes (data management, contact  management, approvals, project tracking, reporting, contracts, payments, invoices) 
• Maintain detailed notes on film selections, program planning and implementation and  deliver a full report and participate in a post-mortem at the end of each program
• Recruit programming committees and coordinate their activities (scheduling meetings, screener distribution, agenda planning, facilitation, recording outcomes)
• Acquire films, liaising with distributors and/or filmmakers and negotiating fees
• Manage a departmental budget for artistic and programming expenses
• Support related sponsor, in-kind donation solicitation and fundraising activities
• Support Executive Director in grant writing to secure funding for programming
• Send invitations and thank you letters to all artistic and programming contacts
• Supervise Program Coordinator, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance
• Manage programming committees and any other volunteers
• Some work with Board members to acquire partnerships, while receiving guidance and mentorship

• Assist with development of promotion, publicity and marketing materials by writing  program descriptions, artistic statements, and coordinating related content on schedule
• Communicate with clarity, tact, responsiveness with filmmakers, distributors, partners
• Provide input on marketing and community outreach strategies for programming
• Participate in relevant media/publicity opportunities related to programming  
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Key Skills and Experience 

• 2-4 years of experience in film festival programming OR a strong interest in film with  experience in artistic direction, event programming, curation, or arts administration
• Demonstrated administrative, project management, organization, planning and budgeting skills with a strong attention to detail  
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills  
• Demonstrated time management and prioritization skills to execute concurrent projects  
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, and experience  working in small, highly collaborative teams  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and follow through
• Strong relationship management skills, with internal and external stakeholders, and ability to represent RPFF effectively to the public
• High proficiency in digital file management and virtual collaboration tools 
• Strong understanding of equity, anti-oppression and anti-racism and applying these concepts and working in a diverse environment
• Understanding of Regent Park’s communities and context
• An appreciation for the intersections of community building and professional arts

Nice to Have 

• Experience coordinating online programming, digital event production and working in a virtual team 
• Experience with print traffic and services 
• Experience with speaking onstage, Q&As and discussions with artists and their work 
• Experience negotiating screening fees with distributors and other stakeholders 
• Experience managing and leading staff

Additional Info:

How to Apply:

Attach your cover letter and resume as one document titled “FirstName LastName - Manager of Programming” in an email to jobs@rpff.ca.