VAEFF is currently seeking professional volunteers, interns, and assistants for four open positions supporting our 16th annual edition, taking place in New York City this November.
The four opportunities listed below focus on different areas of the festival: Brand Design & Web, Social Media & Content, Community & Outreach, and Special Programming. Each role offers hands-on experience working closely with the VAEFF team in the lead-up to the festival.
We are looking for people with an interest in contemporary art, experimental film, design, media, technology, and festival production. Experience and responsibilities vary by position, so please review the four openings below and select the role that best matches your skills and interests.
Click on a position below to view the full description and application requirements.
Brand Design & Web Intern / Volunteer
Brand Design & Web Intern / Volunteer (College Credit Available)
About: VAEFF (Video Art & Experimental Film Festival) has been running in NYC for 16 years. With our upcoming edition taking place this November, we are looking for an intern or volunteer to work directly with our Director of Special Programming. A central focus of this role is developing the festival’s visual identity, along with managing and updating our website.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the festival’s branding: expand our existing logo into a cohesive visual language (colors, typography, layouts, etc.).
- Design visual assets for our website, social media, and print materials, primarily posters.
- Manage and update our WordPress site, including uploading weekly video screenings.
What you need:
- Strong, proven WordPress skills.
- High proficiency in design software (Figma preferred, but not required).
- Bonus: Video editing skills.
- You do not need to be a student to apply. College credit is available for eligible students.
Please include in your application:
- Resume/CV.
- Link to your portfolio.
- A few sentences about why you’re a good fit.
Social Media & Content Intern / Volunteer
Social Media & Content Intern / Volunteer (College Credit Available)
About: VAEFF (Video Art and Experimental Film Festival) has been running in NYC for 16 years. With our upcoming edition taking place this November, we are looking for an intern or volunteer to work directly with our Director of Special Programming to manage our social media, newsletter, and daily content.
What you’ll do:
- Manage our social media channels, primarily Instagram, and help produce our newsletter.
- Produce a high volume of content at a fast pace leading up to the festival.
- Design carousels and stories, and edit short video clips using a ready-made visual toolkit provided by our designer.
- Write sharp, engaging copy and micro-copy across platforms.
- Handle asset management: collect, organize, and select the appropriate videos, stills, and information from the festival’s databases.
What you need:
- Excellent, proven design skills for social media and video editing.
- Ability to work quickly and manage a high volume of deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong copywriting and micro-copywriting skills.
- Highly organized, with the ability to manage and sort a large volume of files and assets.
- You do not need to be a student to apply. College credit is available for eligible students.
Please include in your application:
- Resume/CV.
- Links to social media accounts you’ve managed or examples of carousels/content you’ve created.
- A few sentences about why you’re a good fit.
Community & Outreach Intern / volunteer
Community & Outreach Intern / Volunteer (College Credit Available)
About: VAEFF (Video Art and Experimental Film Festival) has been running in NYC for 16 years. With our upcoming edition taking place this November, we are looking for an intern or volunteer to work directly with our Director of Special Programming to expand our audience, manage outreach, and develop partnerships within the local arts community.
What you’ll do:
- Handle press and influencer communications, including sending press kits and managing follow-ups.
- Brainstorm and develop strategic partnerships with local arts organizations, community groups, and university departments.
- Manage and organize a high volume of contacts, outreach data, and email communications.
- Track RSVPs, guest lists, and ticket giveaways.
What you need:
- Strong interpersonal skills and clear, professional email communication.
- Excellent organizational skills and experience using information management tools such as Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, or Excel to manage a large volume of data.
- High availability and quick response times, especially as the festival approaches in November.
- A community-minded approach.
- Bonus: Previous experience in a similar role or familiarity with the NYC arts community.
- You do not need to be a student to apply. College credit is available for eligible students.
Please include in your application:
- Resume/CV.
- A few sentences about why you’re a good fit.
Special Programming Assistant
Special Programming Assistant Intern / Volunteer (College Credit Available)
About: VAEFF (Video Art and Experimental Film Festival) has been running in NYC for 16 years. With our upcoming edition taking place this November, we are looking for an assistant or volunteer to work directly with our Director of Special Programming on a curated program exploring critical perspectives on AI, ethics, and aesthetics in contemporary cinema.
What you’ll do:
- Assist with curatorial research, including identifying relevant artists, researchers, video works, articles, and archival materials.
- Communicate directly with artists, panelists, and institutional partners to coordinate schedules and collect headshots, bios, and other materials.
- Manage and organize screening assets and exhibition files.
- Help coordinate logistical and technical needs for panels and screenings at the cinema venue.
What you need:
- Strong interpersonal skills and clear, professional email communication.
- A genuine interest in time-based media, experimental film, and the intersection of art, technology, and AI.
- Strong curatorial and academic research skills.
- Highly detail-oriented and organized.
- Bonus: Basic technical knowledge of video screening formats.
- You do not need to be a student to apply. College credit is available for eligible students.
Please include in your application:
- Resume/CV.
- A few sentences about why you’re a good fit and what interests you about the intersection of video art and AI.