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VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization who provide the passion, energy and experience to make AFMX one of the leading film festivals in New Mexico!  Our diverse and enthusiastic group of volunteers include students, professionals, retired persons, filmmakers, music lovers, and community members.

 

Our volunteers are recognized as some of the best from our long list of VIP guests, speakers and talents and are a driving force of what makes us successful. We take pride in getting to know our volunteers and matching them with assignments and positions that are engaging and fun! 

 

From our 2022 survey of our volunteer pool: 

  • 95% of responders are likely to volunteer for AFMX again given their experience.

  • 100% of responders rated their overall experience volunteering with AFMX as good (17%) or exceptional (83%).

  • 97% were engaged enough to want to share ideas for the 2023 September Spotlight event.

  • 50% said based on their experiences with AFMX in 2022, they would consider becoming a member of an AFMX board.

Not only was the pre-event communication fantastic, the volunteers at the event were kind, informed, helpful and all around amazing. - Chris Schueler, Documentary Filmmaker, 2022 Speaker

We were privileged to be part of this world class event, alongside talented filmmakers and one of the friendliest staffs we've ever encountered. - Alex Meridy, 2020 Filmmaker

And I can't say enough about the wonderful people and volunteers who are the heart of the festival.- Mark Maxey, 2018 Filmmaker

​AFMX is accepting volunteer applications for our 11th year, September 27 to October 1, 2023! 

PERKS

All volunteers receive:

  • AFMX swag

  • Complimentary festival ticket to all the screenings and Center Stage Conversations

  • Food and drink during the festival

  • Free parking (parking reimbursed)

  • Awesome networking opportunities working with film and music industry professionals

REQUIREMENTS 

  • All volunteers must complete our online volunteer application. This helps us maintain our database every year.

  • You must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Volunteers must attend our in-person training session before the festival.  Date TBD.

  • The application deadline for the main festival is September 1.

  • All shifts are in 4-5 hour blocks; there will be 2 to 3 shifts per day. Most blocks require standing and walking with light lifting. Please indicate on the volunteer form or sign-up sheet if you have special needs.

  • Anyone volunteering to be a driver for AFMX must be at least 21 years of age and provide a copy of a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.


VOLUNTEERING 

  • You may sign up for as many shifts as you'd like.  We will do our very best to accommodate your preferred shifts and positions. 

  • There will be different venues for our in-person event so please be aware when making your selection.

  • Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email from our Volunteer Coordinator confirming you have signed up and answer any questions you may have. 

  • We are excited to return to our popular live events this year and welcome enthusiastic and customer service-oriented individuals to help us in the following positions.  

POSITIONS 


FILM SCREENING – This is a pre-event volunteer position (Jan – May 2023)

  • AFMX is recruiting volunteers, filmmakers, and cinephiles for our 2023 film screening team. Thanks to our dedicated film screeners last year, we were able to view over 200 films worldwide and present over 60 short and feature films, documentaries, music, and animated videos from around the world. 

  • As a film screener, you will be responsible for:

    • viewing all submissions (plan to spend 4-6 hours/week to view all the films)

    • providing brief feedback of films

    • contribute to the voting process to select which films are selected for the 2023 festival

  • Screening Team members watch, and review all submitted entries to the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience via FilmFreeway

  • Screeners will make recommendations regarding the acceptance of films to the festival, utilizing a rating system to judge each entry.

  • We ask our screening team to provide feedback on every film. AFMX judges rely heavily on our screening team's assessment of the films to help create the fall programming and awards ceremony. And yes, we read all the notes, so please be honest, professional, yet succinct in your feedback on why or why not to recommend a film for AFMX programming.

  • Experience or set experience is not required but certainly beneficial.

  • Utmost professionalism and discretion while participating as a film screener.


VENUE MANAGERS - CENTERSTAGE CONVERSATION, WORKSHOPS, and FILM BLOCKS

  • Assure proactive venue operations and communications while following proper procedures and protocol in accordance with the AFMX contract. 

  • Oversee Audio Visual requirements necessary for each program

  • Coordinate green room, water stations, and refreshments for panelist

  • Introduce the Film Block and/or Center Stage Conversation moderator and guests

  • Requires strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to manage a small team of dedicated volunteers.


VENUE MANAGER ASSISTANT

  • Assist Venue Managers in the above-designated duties to ensure efficient and effective customer service for festival patrons and special guests

  • Help to maintain a Covid safe environment between events

  • Must have a strong sense of customer service, a positive attitude, and great communication skills

  • Standing, walking and some light lifting is involved


HOSPITALITY MANAGER

  • Oversee registration, merchandise, green room, ticket scanners, drivers/runner volunteers

  • Provide customer service to patrons and VIP guests as needed

  • Must have a strong sense of customer service, a positive attitude, and great communication skills

  • Standing, light lifting and walking is involved

 

GREEN ROOM VOLUNTEER

  • Will work closely with the Venue Manager to ensure food and drink are available for the VIP Green Room

  • Must have a strong sense of customer service, a positive attitude, and great communication skills

  • Sitting, walking and some light lifting is involved


VOLUNTEER BREAK ROOM

  • Responsible for ensuring all volunteer’s personal belongings are safe and secure

  • Keep snacks and beverages stocked

  • Coordinate delivery of meals for volunteers

  • Ensure volunteers sign in/out for assigned shifts 


EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

  • Photographers to shoot highlights of ALL of the events at AFMX

  • Standing and walking is involved

  • Experience required, prior event photography experience preferred

  • Must have own equipment


REGISTRATION AND MERCHANDISE ASSISTANT

  • First point of contact for all incoming guests to assist Venue Manager

  • Assist all AFMX participants, providing directions, and general customer services

  • Assist in sales of AFMX merchandise that will be sold at venue

  • Must have a strong sense of customer service, a positive attitude, and excellent communication skills

  • Sitting, walking and some light lifting is involved

 

USHERS AND TICKET TAKERS

  • Responsible for ensuring proper credentials or tickets are presented upon entry to each event

  • Will help to maintain a Covid safe environment between events

  • Must have a strong sense of customer service, a positive attitude, and great communication skills

  • Standing and walking is involved


SIGNAGE COORDINATOR

  • Coordinates signage and distribution team on pre-event marketing material distribution, ensures signage is delivered to venues, directs signage team on placement at venues

  • Keeps inventory of all signage

  • Standing, walking and some light lifting is involved

  • Reliable transportation is helpful


POSTER DISTRIBUTION TEAM

  • Responsible for delivery and grassroots distribution of marketing materials such as posters and postcards to specific organizations,

  • retail outlets, community bulletin boards, and sponsors who will promote AFMX events

  • Reliable transportation is helpful

TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR

  • Lead team for dedicated drivers/runners by creating daily schedules and assignments

  • Assist with errands, VIP transportation

  • Required: clean driving record, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance

  • Impeccable customer service is required


AFTER PARTY ASSISTANT

  • Assists Event Coordinator on all matters related to after party

  • Impeccable customer service is required

  • Standing, walking and some light lifting is involved

SPONSOR ASSISTANT

  • Assists Executive Director with sponsor packages; ambassadorship 

 

SAFETY
AFMX takes the safety and well-being of the volunteers and festival participants seriously and will continue to adhere to COVID regulations and health guidelines. AFMX follows the New Mexico state mandate regarding masks and vaccines. We highly recommend festival attendees and volunteers to be vaccinated and/or follow mask usage to protect our community but is not required. We encourage all participants to follow social distancing and cleanliness rules to maintain the highest level of safety possible.  

We are excited to welcome enthusiastic and customer service-oriented individuals to help us in the following positions. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Martha Cummings at martha@afmxnm.com.y looking for volunteers for the following:

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