When do I need to apply by if I want to volunteer?

I have submitted my volunteer application – what happens next?

When will I know if my application is successful?

What if my availability changes before the festival starts?

What type of jobs will I be doing as a volunteer?

What are the basic requirements to be a MIFF volunteer?

Am I qualified to be a MIFF volunteer?

How long is each volunteer shift?

What should I wear when I am volunteering?

Will I be able to watch films while I am volunteering?

Will MIFF reimburse my expenses?

What happens at the volunteer briefing? Do I really have to attend?

What are the benefits of being a MIFF volunteer?

When do I need to apply by if I want to volunteer?

All applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Saturday 24 June 2017.

I have submitted my volunteer application. What happens next?

You will receive an email confirming that your application is in the system, and listing the shifts for which you indicated you were available. Please make sure you have a valid email address and that you save @miff.com.au as a safe email address so our correspondence does not go into your junk folder. Receiving this email does not mean you have been successfully chosen as a MIFF volunteer; it simply confirms that your application has been received.

When will I know if my application is successful?

Applicants may be asked to attend a group interview with other prospective volunteers and the Volunteers Manager. Again, please make sure you have a valid email address and that you save @miff.com.au as a safe email address so our correspondence does not go into your junk folder. If you have not volunteered at MIFF before, you must be available to attend a group interview AND the compulsory volunteer briefing to be accepted into the program.

Following these interviews, MIFF will be in contact to inform you if you have been successful with your application.

Please be aware that we receive a very large volume of applications each year – more than the positions we have to fill. If you are unsuccessful, please do not be discouraged from applying again in 2018.

What if my availability changes before the festival starts?

From the time you submit your volunteer application to the time that applications close, you will be able to edit your details in the online form as you become aware of changes to your availability.

To update your information/availability (after you have submitted your volunteer application):

• Log in to your MIFF profile on the MIFF website.
• Click on ‘Update your volunteer information’.
• Change your availability or information as needed.
• Click the Update button at the bottom of the page.

A confirmation screen will then load, confirming all the shifts for which you have nominated your availability during the festival. You will also receive a confirmation email to your nominated email address.

If you are successful with your application, the Volunteers Manager will email the roster in early July. If you need to make any changes (due to work, study, travel commitments etc) you can request this from the Volunteers Manager after you receive your roster.

What type of jobs will I be doing as a volunteer?

The 350+ volunteers engaged for the festival each year work at all festival screening/event venues, including ACMI, the Forum Theatre, Hoyts Melbourne Central, Kino and various other CBD locations. Volunteers are generally engaged as ushers, ticket scanners, queue managers and information staff, as well as in other venue-support roles.

What are the basic requirements to be a MIFF volunteer?

As a volunteer you must be over 18 years of age. You will be required to work seven shifts across the 17-day festival; most shifts are approximately four to five hours so it is a total commitment of approximately 30 hours over the festival. A minimum availability of 14 shifts is required (even though you will only be rostered on for seven shifts). Applicants with good availability will be given preference.

You will also be required to attend the compulsory volunteer briefing day.

Am I qualified to be a MIFF volunteer?

Volunteering at MIFF requires:

• that you be at least 18 years of age
• energy and enthusiasm for MIFF and the MIFF program
• the ability to communicate with the general public in a friendly and professional manner
• an aptitude for working calmly and efficiently in very busy environments
• punctuality
• a willingness to follow directions and work as part of a team
• fluency in English
• a commitment to making the festival a fantastic experience for the public, guests and staff.
  
  

MIFF is committed to an inclusive and diverse volunteer team, and welcomes applications from everyone. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse people with an interest in film as well as those from the deaf community or people with different abilities. If you have concerns about the specific tasks required as a volunteer, please feel free to contact volunteers@miff.com.au.

How long is each volunteer shift?

The average shift is approximately four (4) to five (5) hours.

What should I wear when I am volunteering?

You will receive a MIFF Volunteer t-shirt and Volunteer Pass to wear when you’re working. This is your uniform and it is mandatory to wear it at all times during your volunteer shifts. We ask that to avoid confusion, you wear this only while you’re on duty, not when you’re attending the festival as a patron. Your t-shirt can be worn as much as you like socially after the festival.

Other than your volunteer t-shirt, you should present yourself in a neat and tidy manner, and wear comfortable, enclosed-toe shoes. You may be required to work outside at times too, so please bring something warm to wear underneath your t-shirt.

Will I be able to watch films while I am volunteering?

It will depend on the position you are delegated on your shift. If you are inside the cinema helping patrons find their seats you will be able to watch the film, but only after all latecomers have been admitted. It is extremely important that all audience members are helped to find seats in a safe and calm manner, and that ushers who stay inside the cinema during the film continue to keep an eye on the audience and notify Front of House staff of any incidents that arise inside the cinema while a film is screening.

If you arrive to your shift early, you can ask your Front of House Manager if you can be inside the cinema for a film you really want to see during your shift, but it's not guaranteed that this will be possible: your primary role on shift is to usher, not to view a film, so looking after MIFF patrons must be the priority.

Will MIFF reimburse my expenses?

All volunteers must arrange their own meals, although your MIFF Volunteer Pass will get you a discount on food and drink at selected festival venues.

What happens at the volunteer briefing? Do I really have to attend?

Unfortunately, if you cannot attend the volunteer briefing, it will not be possible for you to volunteer with MIFF. Vital information and training will happen on this day.

What are the benefits of being a MIFF volunteer?

Each volunteer will receive four single session Admit One passes on the briefing day, then at the end of each shift will receive a further single session Admit One pass.

Admit One passes are not linked to individual volunteers. This means that you can use multiple single session Admit Ones to attend films with friends or family, rather than being limited to attending films by yourself or with a paying friend. This also means that if you work more than the required seven shifts, you receive more Admit One passes and have the opportunity to see more films.

If you work more than 10 shifts, you will also be offered a MIFF Membership for the coming year.

By being involved with the festival you will also have the chance to meet lots of new people, make new friends and learn new skills in a creative, fun environment.

If you are interested in working in the film industry, it’s also a fantastic way to be a part of a world-renowned festival, and a great way to get a foot in the door; many people who previously or currently work with MIFF started as volunteers.