THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING TO BE A LIFF FREELANCE PROGRAMMER HAS PASSED
The application deadline was 11.30pm on Wednesday 10th April. Any applications received after that time will not be eligible for consideration.
If you applied for a role, you can find below the date by which you will receive confirmation if you are shortlisted for an interview or not – please check the role you applied for:
Role 1 - Programmer, Feature Films - By Monday 15 April
Role 2 - Lead Programmer, Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition - By Monday 22 April
Role 3 - Programmer, Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition - By Monday 29 April
Role 4 - Lead Programmer, British and Yorkshire Short Film Competitions - By Monday 15 April
Role 5 - Programmer, British and Yorkshire Short Film Competitions - By Monday 29 April
Role 6 - Programmer, World Animation Competition - By Monday 22 April
Role 7 - Lead Programmer, Documentary Short Films - By Monday 15 April
Role 8 - Programmer, Documentary Short Films - By Monday 29 April
Role 9 - Programmer, Fantastic Films - By Monday 22 April
Role 10 - Programmer, Leeds Music Video Competition - By Monday 15 April
SECTION A - INTRODUCTION
Thank you for considering a freelance programmer role with Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF). We are excited to offer 17 paid short-term opportunities across 10 roles and they are available for different levels of experience. The roles will contribute to researching, viewing, shortlisting and selecting films for the 38th edition of LIFF in November 2024 and the 39th edition in November 2025.
Presented in November, LIFF is one of the UK’s leading film festivals and a qualifying event for the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and the BIFAs. LIFF is organised by the Leeds Film team, part of the Arts, Events & Venues service at Leeds City Council. Leeds Film also organises Leeds Young Film Festival for children, the INDIs for ages 16 to 25, and year-round activities.
Leeds City Council promotes diversity and wants a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. It is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023 and is an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. LIFF is BFI Diversity Standards approved.
SECTION B - KEY INFORMATION
Please note all of the following information before applying.
- The deadline for applying has now passed. The application deadline was 11.30pm on Wednesday 10th April. Any applications received after that time will not be eligible for consideration.
- You can only apply for one role. If we think you may be more suitable for a different role to the one you have applied for, we may take that into consideration.
- It is not possible to save your answers on the application form and return to it. We recommend you prepare and save your answers separately first.
- We are actively encouraging applications from those who are from: underrepresented groups; based in Yorkshire and other regions in the North of England.
- Please apply using your own words only for the answers on the application form.
- We have roles for three different levels of experience - advanced, intermediate, and limited or no experience. Please read the guide to experience levels in section C.
- The number of role openings listed with each role in section D refers to how many people we are recruiting. For example, for the Louis le Prince competition we are recruiting one person for Lead Programmer and five people for Programmer.
- The date when we inform you if you have been selected for an interview or not depends on the role you apply for: the notification dates for all roles are listed at the top of this page.
- Applicants who are recruited for the roles will receive a freelance programmer contract for 2024 and 2025 - terms and conditions apply.
- The roles are short-term, mostly ranging from 10 to 20 days work between May and August in 2024 and 2025. Each paid working day is 8 hours and for most roles it can be split up – for example, 8 hours over two days.
- For most roles with remote working, we are flexible if successful applicants want to work at variable times of day or days of the week. Some daytime weekday availability is required, for example for online team meetings or mentoring.
- The contact email for enquiries about the roles is leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk.
SECTION C - EXPERIENCE LEVELS
We have opportunities for different levels of experience - please see each role description for the level required and the following are guides to the levels.
ADVANCED
You have three or more years of relevant experience regularly programming new films in official roles for festivals. You have programmed features (Programmer, Features role) or short films (Lead Programmer roles) for several competitions and/or non-competitive selections, and you have considered substantial numbers of film submissions. Please check the full description for the role you are applying for to see additional requirements.
INTERMEDIATE
You have at least one year of relevant experience regularly programming new films in official roles for festivals and/or cinemas. You have programmed short films for at least one competition or non-competitive selection and you have considered many film submissions - pre-selection experience only is not eligible. Please check the full description for the role you are applying for to see additional requirements.
LIMITED OR NO EXPERIENCE
You have experience of programming films occasionally - for example, for a cinema, festival, pop-up venue, DIY programme, or film society; or you have pre-selection experience only; or you have no relevant experience but you are passionate about film and you want to explore working in film. Those who have this level and are recruited for the applicable roles will be mentored by the role supervisors to develop their experience and skills in considering, shortlisting and selecting film submissions. Please check the full description for the role you are applying for to see additional requirements.
SECTION D - THE ROLES
ROLE 1 - PROGRAMMER, FEATURE FILMS
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, advanced.
- Role location: Leeds-based role with mix of office and remote working.
- Applicant location: This role requires being able to work in Leeds every week.
- Days and period: 2.5 weekdays per week from May to September and additional days in October and November, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £140 per day.
ROLE 2 - LEAD PROGRAMMER, LOUIS LE PRINCE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, advanced.
- Role location: mostly remote working, some in-person work during LIFF if possible.
- Applicant location: we will consider international as well as UK-based applicants.
- Days and period: total of 20 days, mostly May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £140 per day.
ROLE 3 - PROGRAMMER, LOUIS LE PRINCE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 5, 3 intermediate and 2 limited or no experience.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: we will consider international as well as UK-based applicants.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day intermediate experience, £100 per day limited or no experience.
ROLE 4 - LEAD PROGRAMMER, BRITISH AND YORKSHIRE SHORT FILM COMPETITIONS
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, advanced.
- Role location: mostly remote working, in person required during LIFF.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 15 days, mostly May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £140 per day.
ROLE 5 - PROGRAMMER, BRITISH AND YORKSHIRE SHORT FILM COMPETITIONS
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 2, 1 intermediate and 1 limited or no experience.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day intermediate experience, £100 per day limited or no experience.
ROLE 6 - PROGRAMMER, WORLD ANIMATION COMPETITION
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 2, 1 with intermediate and 1 limited or no experience.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: we will consider international as well as UK-based applicants.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day intermediate experience, £100 per day limited or no experience.
ROLE 7 - LEAD PROGRAMMER, DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, advanced.
- Role location: mostly remote working, in person required during LIFF.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 15 days, mostly May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £140 per day.
ROLE 8 - PROGRAMMER, DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, either intermediate or limited or no experience.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day intermediate or £100 per day limited or no experience.
ROLE 9 - PROGRAMMER, FANTASTIC* FILMS
- *’Fantastic’ refers to films from genres like fantasy, horror and sci-fi.
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience : 2, 1 with intermediate and 1 limited or no experience.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day intermediate experience, £100 limited or no experience.
ROLE 10 - PROGRAMMER, LEEDS MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
- Please click on this link to view the full role description.
- Role openings and level of experience required: 1, with intermediate experience in film or music programming.
- Role location: remote working.
- Applicant location: UK-based.
- Days and period: total of 10 days, May to August, each year in 2024 and 2025.
- Fee: £115 per day.