Volunteer

Volunteer

Be a part of North America’s longest-running competitive film festival!

If you are a movie lover and are at least 18 years of age, this is a great opportunity to help bring international cinema to Chicago. With emphasis on providing underserved citizenry with access to world-class cinema, you’ll be a part of something larger than yourself. You’ll also get to meet other film enthusiasts, learn about the ins and outs of the festival world and see plenty of movies in the process!

After you have volunteered at the festival, you are welcome to join us year-round for our diverse programs, including the international screenings program, community cinema, and CineYouth festival for young and emerging filmmakers.

A pile of photos of happy volunteers

Festival Volunteer Team Is Full

The volunteer team for the 61st Chicago International Film Festival is at capacity! If you are interested in volunteering next year, please fill out this form and you will hear back from us in early September 2025. Thank you!

Volunteer Interest Form

Have more questions?
Contact the volunteer team at volunteers@chicagofilmfestival.com.

Returning Volunteers

If you are currently a volunteer, or have volunteered in the past, please use the form below

Returning Volunteer Sign-Up Form

The Perks of Volunteering


Be part of the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, and one of the most passionate volunteer teams around.


Meet and network with fellow filmmakers and film lovers.


See free movies: for every shift you volunteer, you will receive a voucher for a free screening during the festival.


Score a free festival t-shirt and be entered in daily raffles for prizes and festival merchandise.


Receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Cinema/Chicago (volunteer 25+ hours before/during the festival).


Get a six-month Cinema/Chicago membership (Dec-April) if you volunteer 30+ hours before/during the festival) or a year-long membership if you volunteer 35+ hours.

Volunteer Opportunities

Film Festival Volunteers are vital in a variety of roles both before and during the festival. The roles below are a sample of the opportunities festival volunteers may have, but new opportunities may also arise.

During the Festival

Greeter
Move around the space, identify customers who seem to need direction, answer inquiries, direct patrons to the box office, standby line, membership table, merchandise table, information table, or nearest restrooms; answer questions about screening times and locations, aid patrons who may need accessible seating. Since AMC will be running other films with other patrons attending, it’s our job to make the Film Festival patrons feel extra appreciated, with plenty of helpful volunteers around to create that Festival atmosphere! If you do not have any requested information find another volunteer or member of the staff who does.

Special Events
These shifts have a variety of roles, often listed in the shift title on shiftboard. Sometimes you’ll be checking people in, other times greeting or directing, or maybe working helping with theater ops for a non-film event.

Filmmaker Lounge
*Mostly seated. Be a check in person for filmmakers and badge holders as they filter in and out of our dedicated filmmaker lounge in the AMC NewCity. Periodically help our Special Events Manager Sheena with tasks around the lounge such as refilling snacks and drinks.

Ticket Scanner
Scan all patron tickets as they head to their screenings, welcome and direct them to the correct theater.

Theater Operations
Assist with house lines, click for headcount, handout ballots and pencils, turnover theater, collecting and organizing ballots. NOTE: It is at the Theater Manager’s sole discretion to seat on-shift volunteers during a screening. IF the shift is slow and seats are available, your Theater Manager may allow you to sit in the rear of the screening until there is work for you.

Jury/Press Screenings
*Mostly seated. Get to the theater bright and early to help open house and direct Jury and/or press members to their private screenings of films from our Festival. Make sure the film plays without issue and without disruption. Check in with Morgan and/or Tom at the Press table for more instruction on the day of your shift.

Line Assistant/Crowd Control
Help with rush lines, expedite lines, arrange and double lines when needed, crowd control lines.

Information Table
*Seated. Manage the information table. Answer guests’ questions, direct moviegoers to the box office, theaters, membership table, merchandise table, restrooms, etc. Provide information about programming and show times. Share the location for the parking validation machine for patrons. Answer questions about becoming a member of Cinema/Chicago, discuss membership perks and benefits, pass out pamphlets and membership materials.

Standby Line Assistant
Give numbered ticket to patrons waiting in standby line, stand standby line in chronological order; if seats are available 10 minutes prior to show time, patrons may exchange their numbered ticket, along with cash for regular screening ticket; standby tickets are Cash Only. Remind patrons that receiving a numbered ticket does NOT guarantee a seat; remind patrons that standby seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis; remind patrons that standby seats may not be located right next to each other.

Year-Round Opportunities

Although our biggest volunteer event is the Chicago International Film Festival in October, we also have volunteer opportunities at our other events, such as CineYouth in the Spring, our Summer Screenings program, and member screenings/events throughout the year. Please contact info@chicagofilmfestival.com for inquiries into offseason volunteering opportunities.

Frequenty Asked Questions

Yes! This is the only way for volunteers to sign up for shifts.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm. You should be approved twenty-four hours after attending training and filling out the google form, during office hours listed above.

Yes this includes our code of conduct which has to be signed before being approved.

Yes! Shifts will be posted and you can take them at your own discretion.

Yes you may keep the shirt forever! Just remember to bring it to each of your shifts.

At the location of your first shift!

No! But we encourage everyone to take a minimum of two shifts. Each shift ranges from an hour and a half to six hours. But most are around the two to three hour range.

No, Opening night, Closing night, and any special presentations are excluded from volunteer voucher redemption. But you can use them on our other 100+ films listed!!

Volunteer Intake Form (Non-Festival)

Sign up to volunteer now

Have more questions?
Contact the volunteer team at info@chicagofilmfestival.com.