Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding volunteering with our Festival:

1. How can I volunteer for the festival?

2. What do festival volunteers do?

3. How much time does it take?

4. Do I get to watch the films in the festival?

5. What do I need to bring?

1. How can I volunteer for the festival?
Click here and register on our volunteer list. Be sure to indicate your interests and how you would like to assist us.

Just before the Festival, we host a Volunteer Roundup, which serves as a general information session for festival volunteers. At the roundup, potential volunteers will get more information about specific volunteer positions and can ask questions. The festival volunteer schedule will be available and volunteers can sign up for specific shifts to staff.

2. What do festival volunteers do?
Our Film Festival is completely run by volunteers. We have a team of Directors and Coordinators that work throughout the year to organize and promote the festival. We also use volunteer help for tactical jobs during our festival and related events - ushering, taking tickets, assisting with admissions, raffles, and assisting our sponsors. We also use volunteers to help with our Sponsor Parties and Mixer Events. Many volunteers start as festival volunteers and then decide to get more involved with the organization by taking on a Coordinator position and applying whatever interests and talents they may have. If you have an interest in Lesbian and Gay film, then we can use you as a volunteer.

Here are a few of the Festival Positions that we need volunteers for:

  • Ushering - Each night of the festival, volunteers are needed to help guests find their seats, clear the theater after each screening and provide general assistance during the show. Ushers will work the “souvenir” table at the Festival, selling t-shirts, posters, etc. Ushers will also be used to put up and take down “special event” decorations.
  • Opening / Closing Reception Staff - The Opening and Closing nights of the Festival are special events with parties hosted for the guests and VIPS. Help will be needed for serving refreshments, decorating, setting up the space, cleaning up afterwards, etc. Professional Party Planners – we need you!
  • Hospitality - Responsible for helping to host our VIP guests, provide security for guests (as needed), make welcome baskets for guests, and make sure guests have transportation around town and are well hosted.
  • Festival Events - Assist with Opening and Closing events (which may include filmmaker reception), mixers and receptions, and other events that may occur during the Film Festival such as the Filmmaker's Symposiums.
  • Fundraising - Responsible for selling items at festival events, such as t-shirts, movie posters, DVDs and videos, etc. Also provides assistance with the raffles held during the festival.

3. How much time does it take?
You can volunteer for as little or as much time as you have available. Most volunteer shifts during the festival are from 1-2 hours long, but you can work multiple shifts throughout the week. Our Volunteer Coordinator will try to schedule a convenient shift.

4. Do I get to watch the films in the festival?
Because we know that our Volunteers usually want to watch our movies, we will provide you with a ticket for every volunteer shift that you work for the festival. The ticket will allow you to watch any single screening in the festival that does not conflict with your volunteer shifts (most volunteers can't volunteer and watch a film at the same time). So the more shifts you work, the more films you can see! Many of our volunteers come to a film then work a volunteer shift, or vice versa. The only limitation is that the volunteer tickets are on a space-available basis - our sponsors and paying patrons will be seated first.

5. What do I need to bring?
In most cases, just bring yourself. Please wear khaki or dark slacks (no jeans) - we will furnish you an OUT TAKES Dallas T-Shirt and a Volunteer Badge. You only get one T-shirt, so please bring it for every shift you work. Volunteers are usually provided soft drinks for free by the theater, but you should plan to eat before or after your shift.

 

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WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

Our festival is entirely staffed by volunteers (and we can't do it without you!). If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer form.

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