Volunteering at Film Fest Gent
HELP for archive digitisation wanted: 50 years of FFG from under the dust!
In 2023, we will celebrate 50 years of FFG. To celebrate, we already have one ambitious goal: to showcase all programmes and all films from 1974 to the present on this website.
But we need help for that!
We still need to pull numerous programme brochures from under the dust to scan in synopses and collect the texts digitally.
This can be done on weekdays for shifts between 9am and 1pm or 1pm and 5pm.
Please let us know at lien@filmfestival.be.
We are incredibly grateful in advance. More: from 5 shifts, you will receive a multiple ticket pack for 5 films at this 50yFFG.
What do you have to know as a volunteer?
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How and when can I apply as a volunteer?
You can do so from March 2023 onwards via the registration form on this page. You will also find this in your MyFFG account. If you don't have an account yet, you need to register first. In the form, we ask for your personal information, your previous experience at FFG and your preferred positions.
Everyone is welcome to apply, regardless of your background or views. However, you must be at least 18 years old.
Is it your first time? Then you can provide a brief explanation about yourself during registration. We will then invite you for an introductory interview during the months of April to June.
Have you already rolled up your sleeves for Film Fest Gent in the past? There is no need for an interview then, but it can always be requested! -
What do we expect from you?
As a volunteer, you are our ambassador and point of contact for our general public.
We expect you to commit to a fixed number of working shifts.
Most of your shifts will be during the festival period. Depending on the position, you may also be required to work before or after the festival. -
How are tasks and shifts distributed?
When registering, you can submit your preferred functions. Based on that, we will invite you to fill in a shift picker in September. In it, you can choose a number of shifts yourself and also specify your availabilities. We will distribute the remaining shifts based on availabilities.
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Will my acommodation and transport be compensated?
As a volunteer, you must provide your own accommodation and transport. Any travel and accommodation expenses cannot be reimbursed by the festival. However, expenses made as part of your assignment will be compensated.
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What can you expect from us?
You will experience the festival from the front row and we are incredibly grateful to you. Undoubtedly, you will feel gratified to help bring films and stories from all over the world to FFG audiences. You will also meet many different people during the festival and gain relevant work experience.
In return for your voluntary commitment, you will receive an accreditation pass that will give you access to all film screenings outside your working hours and as long as there are seats at the start of the screening. For this, we ask for a minimum commitment of 7 shifts of around 30 hours together. This can vary slightly depending on the tasks. You will also receive a t-shirt on top.
You will receive a volunteer agreement (unpaid) and will be insured.
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And during the rest of the year?
During the year, we also organise more activities with, by and for our volunteers. Stay tuned via the volunteer newsletter and facebook page.
Audience reception
We have all kinds of jobs available for our volunteers. Do you prefer working with lots of people around you and are not afraid to speak to the public? Then audience reception is for you! You can do ticket control or sales in the heart of the festival at the Kinepolis site, or on location at Sphinx Cinema or Studio Skoop. Or maybe you fancy working in the Film Fest Café?
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Venue and Ticket Control
From the moment visitors arrive at the venue entrance or ticket control, you contribute to the smooth and pleasant experience of their festival. You check tickets or accreditation passes with scanner or visually. You ensure that visitors stand at the right venue or find their way to the right screening room. You help ensure a timely start, check whether the doors are closed and keep an eye on things. After the screening, you encourage people to vote for the audience award.
Your qualities: you are sociable, customer-friendly and efficient.
Working hours: October - daytime or evening - in shifts (planning done in September)
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Box Office Sales
You will be in charge of evening ticket sales at the box offices of one of the festival locations Kinepolis, Sphinx or Studio Skoop. With your broadest smile you welcome the public and answer all their questions about the festival and film screenings. You ensure the smooth and correct handling of ticket sales. Before the start of the festival, you will receive training in reception and the Ticketmatic ticketing software.
Your qualities: you are fluent in learning to work with a new software, friendly, helpful and stress-resistant.
Working hours: October - 1 training + min. 4 shifts (approx. 4h) at the box office between 19h and 23h.
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Kinepolis Information Desk
A visitor lost in the packed FFG programme? You know the way! At your reception desk at the entrance of Kinepolis, you ensure a friendly and smooth welcome for guests, public and other volunteers. You are the first point of contact for information and help visitors with practical problems such as forgotten tickets and lost objects.
Your qualities: you are fluent in learning how to work with a new software, friendly, professional and helpful.
Working hours: October - 1 training course + min. 4 shifts (approx. 4h) - possible in the daytime and evenings
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Press & Industry Office
In the Press & Industry Office at Kinepolis, you will work at the information and ticket desk for press and film industry professionals. After a thorough briefing by the P&I officer, you ensure a smooth handling of the printing of accreditation passes and tickets for the guests from the festival's ticketing software.
Your qualities: you are fluent in learning to work with a new software, friendly, able to act professionally, helpful and stress-resistant.
Working hours: October - 1 training course + minimum 4 shifts (approx. 4h)- in the morning or afternoon
Behind the scenes
There are also plenty of opportunities for volunteers who prefer to work behind the scenes!
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Promotion Team
As a promotional team member, you will help ensure the smooth distribution of campaign material in the city and/or beyond. You will be assigned an area or neighbourhood in which you will distribute posters and leaflets based on an address list. This can be done on foot or with the FFG bicycle or cargo bike. For locations far outside the city centre, we can also use people with driving licences. After a quick chat with the shop owners you meet, you will decide where the material can be displayed.
Do you want to help make people want to visit the festival? Then we can also use your help at the annual culture market and the Student Kick Off in Ghent. We also organise flyer campaigns at other events, concerts or festivals.
Your qualities: you like going on the road - drudgery does not put you off - you can enthuse.Working hours: You can be deployed from June to October, with a peak in September. Both daytime and evening work possible.
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The Flying Volunteer
The flying volunteer supports the FFG team in the practical preparation of film screenings and preparation, set-up and take-down of special events for schools, professionals or the public. You jump in when volunteers drop out or in places where there is a sudden unexpected rush (bar, box office, etc.).
Your qualities: you like to literally roll up your sleeves - real team player - you are not afraid of drudgery and stacking work
Working hours: October - 4-hour shifts - planning end of September
At the Film Fest Café
From 11 to 21 October, the Film Fest Café on the festival site will be the beating heart of Film Fest Gent.
Every year we are looking for a team of motivated bartenders to serve visitors and guests. Do you already have experience in catering or behind the bar at larger events? Do you enjoy tapping a nicely poured beer or composing a delicious cappuccino? Is this your way of contributing to a nice festival experience? Then you're the bar volunteer we're looking for!
Together with the entire Film Fest Café team of volunteers and bar managers, you will be responsible for smooth, quality and hospitable service: you will take orders, ensure correct preparation of drinks and settlement of orders, and maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of the bar and café.
Working hours: You are available to work at least 6 shifts of 4-6h between 11 and 21 October, either during the day or in the evening (by mutual agreement).
An expense allowance is provided for bar volunteers of