[This is an email forward and not an Indy Arts opportunity; please contact aff.org for all job details.]

---

Announcing: the Arab Film Festival’s Artistic Director Job Description

Position Description:
The Arab Film Festival is seeking a creative, discerning individual to program its annual October Film Festival, and to curate year-round film projects. The position is located in San Francisco, California. The position is open until filled.

Organization Mission and Description:
The Arab Film Festival, the largest Arab cultural event in the San Francisco Bay Area, showcases the best contemporary films from around the Arab world at its annual October Festival and throughout the year. Presenting features, shorts, documentaries, and conversations with visiting artists, the Festival explores Arab identity, the current Arab experience and the richness of Arab culture in relation to a diverse modern world. As the oldest and largest film festival of its kind in the U.S., the Arab Film Festival is a key participant in the Arab community, and an integral part of the San Francisco arts community.

Job Responsibilities:
Curates the Arab Film Festival’s annual Fall Festival and is responsible for conceiving, developing, budgeting, and implementing the artistic and programmatic focus of the organization in consultation with the executive director:

Programming
· Manage the programming for annual film festival
· Develop special events, panels, featured guests and programs including university events, collaborations with educational institutions, fundraising events and co-presentations
· Research films by attending other national and international festivals and events and by cultivating industry contacts
· Represent the organization in outreach, publicity, fundraising events and solicitations
· Develop the program book and support the editor

Planning
· Establish selection timeline and track budget
· Participate in strategic planning, including developing and meeting annual budget and audience attendance goals
· Annually review existing programs, identify opportunities for new programs and assess feasibility
· Update written procedures manual

Management
· Robust marketing of the “Call for Entries”
· Criteria for the selection of films
· Negotiate agreements with filmmakers and distributors and schedule theaters
· Recruit and manage Festival’s film advisors, selection volunteers, programmingintern, Noor Awards
· Organize and oversee the Noor Awards selection committee and jury
· Engage other constituents – e.g. individual volunteers, committees, board of directors, Festival staff, arts and Arab community – for advice and support
· Work with the design director to create all promotional materials
· Work with the associate director, web designer and volunteers to coordinate film trafficking and updated promotions
· Flexible hours required to communicate with contacts in different time zones

Qualifications:
· Commitment to excellence in the arts and a passion for Arab cinema as well as knowledge of Arab history, culture, and diversity
· At least one year experience programming and curating film events plus involvement with film industry
· Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
· Excellent interpersonal skills
· Excellent short- and long-term planning skills; proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team; and the ability to meet deadlines
· Strong computer skills should include use of excel spreadsheets and web-based databases

Salary and Benefits:
Salary is based on experience. The Festival work schedule requires expanded hours and flexibility especially during peak production periods from July through October.

Requirements:
This is a full-time position requiring year-round commitment. Job may require occasional travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles as well as in the Arab World. The Artistic Director reports to the Executive Director. Arabic and French language skills required.

Please send resumes with a cover letter to:
info@aff.org

Write in the subject heading:
Artistic Director position