At Rooftop Films, we believe that film is powerful, not only as a creative medium, but as a vehicle for engaging in valuable dialogue with one another about the issues facing our communities. By bringing films directly to audiences, we foster connections between neighbors, artists, activists, youth and the unique spaces we all share.
A growing nonprofit organization, our mission at Rooftop Films is to engage and inspire diverse communities by showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers in outdoor locations, helping filmmakers to produce new films, and renting equipment & supporting film screenings citywide at low-cost to artists, nonprofits and community groups.
Rooftop Films is more than a film festival. We are a community. For almost 30 years, Rooftop Films has been championing the work of independent filmmakers and bringing films rooted in compassion, solidarity, learning, togetherness, exploration, and inspiration to tens of thousands of people across all five boroughs of New York City.
We would love to have you join our team!
Now Accepting Applications for the Following Positions:
Video Engineer / Projectionist (Seasonal)
Rooftop Films is looking for a Video Engineer to take a crucial role in the production of our Summer Series film festival, taking place in May through August 2025 at outdoor locations throughout NYC. Video Engineers install, operate, and troubleshoot video equipment (digital projectors, HDMI switchers and splitters, display monitors, playback management software) for Rooftop Films’ Summer Series outdoor screenings. Under the supervision of our lead technicians, video engineers setup, calibrate and breakdown our video systems, and run video for feature, documentary, and short film programs.
Video engineers meet on-site at one of our many venues and work through the set-up and breakdown of the event and leave from the site. Because we screen in all 5 boroughs and occasionally out-of-state applicants should be prepared for a variety of work environments. Please note: This is NOT a photography or camera operation position, and applicants need not apply based on a skill set as such.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to…
- Assist Lead Technician, and Audio Engineer with the staging and setup of A/V equipment.
- Assembly and disassembly of rigging for projection, including the set-up of video components at the tech table.
- Calibrating and assessing projection ranges and determining which lenses are suitable.
- Able to troubleshoot and quickly make adjustments before screenings.
- Recovery and organization of equipment at end of night.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience operating, configuring, and keystoning projectors.
- Experience with video switching.
- Experience with Playback Pro and Macs
- Knowledge of optimal projection placement.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs independently and to safely lift 50 lbs with assistance.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Adaptable to a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends.
- Ability to troubleshoot, problem solve, and remain flexible under pressure.
- Willingness to play a fluid role as part of a small, tight-knit team, balancing professionalism and a great sense of humor.
Experience with any of the following is a plus, but not required:
- Working with DCP/DCI Compliant projection systems
- Working with surround sound setups
- Working with outdoor screening setups
- Projection Mapping
POSITION DETAILS
Start Date: May 2025
Compensation: Compensation is $28 per hour to start (but negotiable and commensurate with experience) and video engineers can expect to work between 25 and 40 hours per week June through August. Excellent technicians may have the opportunity to work with us again in the winter season.
Rooftop Films is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building a culturally diverse staff and an inclusive work environment, and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds, abilities, gender expressions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, and nationalities to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and references in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate’s first and last name with subject VIDEO ENGINEER to jobs@rooftopfilms.com. Only applications submitted in this format will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.
Venue Manager (Seasonal)
Rooftop Films is looking for a Venue Manager to take a crucial role in the production and operations of our 29th anniversary Summer Series film festival, taking place May through August 2025 at outdoor locations throughout NYC. This is a flexible, creative position, employing a variety of skills. The Venue Manager will assist with in-office preparations for and on-site management of all Rooftop Films Summer Series screenings. We are looking for a candidate who has availability for possible part time work in April with a transition to full time in late April/May, through early September.
Responsibilities include pre-season preparations, permitting, liaison to sponsors, execution of sponsorship activations, as well as supporting the Operations Manager in general event preparation and execution as needed. Rooftop Films screens in multiple locations that require unique event management systems and procedures; since there are many venues, each with their own particulars, certain basics change from venue to venue. This position reports directly to the Operations Manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to…
- On-Site Event Management
- Act as primary liaison between Rooftop Films staff and venue operator/staff to ensure clear communication and that all venue procedures are adhered.
- Oversee internal and external security staff in audience safety procedures and reinforce social distancing policies (per city and state guidelines)
- Coordinate with venue staff and Box Office Coordinator to create a plan for audience traffic flow and procedures
- Coordinate with Operations Manager and Technical Manager to ensure adequate PPE inventory is maintained and distributed to staff.
- Manage and lead event support staff
- Work with Box Office Coordinator to ensure smooth check in and audience load in procedures
- Coordinate with external venue staff and Box Office Coordinator to create and execute audience traffic flow and procedures
- Supervise set-up of any necessary tables, tents, or other supplies/staging needed for Rooftop Films staff, vendors, and sponsors
- Oversee crowd flow, ushering, security, audience relations, permit compliance, and safety protocols
- Oversee daily cleaning procedures and coordinate with third party vendors for deep cleaning as needed
- Event Planning
- In collaboration with the Operations Manager, and other office FOH staff, the Venue Manager will be responsible for the following in relation to events:
- Assist with securing venue and event permitting (D.O.B, Parks Dept., Catering, etc.)
- Financial management: track and manage show related expenditures.
- Coordinate with security, cleaning, facilities and other vendors as needed
- Create support staff weekly schedules and approve bi-weekly payroll
- Create and distribute daily event schedules to all staff, venue contacts and partners, as needed
- Coordinate weekly department meetings with FOH seasonal staff
- Arrange weekly production meetings with Technical staff to review inter-department planning, event production schedules, and weather accommodations (when applicable)..
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 3 years event production, house management, venue operations management and/or film festival experience.
- Possess flexibility, strong organizational, project management, writing and verbal communication skills.
- Be culturally engaged. A familiarity with and interest in independent film is a plus.
- An understanding and dedication to our mission.
- Ability to thrive in a small team environment, to take responsibility and to meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff and external constituencies at all levels.
- Supervisory/training experience preferred.
- Basic computer skills required, including spreadsheets and databases; familiarity with Adobe Creative a plus.
- Ability to work flexible hours as required, including evenings and weekends.
- Understanding of and experience securing permits a plus.
POSITION DETAILS
Start Date: Late April 2025
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025 or until filled
Compensation: $960 – $1100 per week. The contract period will be mid-April through early September for the full duration of the 2025 Summer Series and one week of wrap.
Rooftop Films is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building a culturally diverse staff and an inclusive work environment, and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds, abilities, gender expressions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, and nationalities to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and references in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate’s first and last name with subject VENUE MANAGER to jobs@rooftopfilms.com. Only applications submitted in this format will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.
Assistant Venue Manager (Seasonal)
Under the supervision of the Venue Manager and senior event staff, the Assistant Venue Managers manage all front of house aspects of Rooftop Films events, including: event load-in/load-out, set-up and smooth execution of the box office, line management, sponsorship activations, implementation of safety procedures, and supporting the Venue Manager in general event preparation and execution as needed. Shifts are typically 6-8 hours. Start and end times vary depending on location and event needs but generally begin from 1-4 PM and end 12-1:30 AM.
All Assistant Venue Managers will be required to obtain an F-04 Certificate of Fitness from FDNY. Rooftop Films will reimburse the application fee.
Assistant Venue Managers can expect to work between 1 and 4 days per week through August 2025.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- General responsibilities:
- Venue Setup and Breakdown
- Load in/out FOH Supplies
- Set up of all FOH aspects of the event, including but not limited to:
- Set up chairs and seating areas
- Set up barriers as needed for ingress and egress
- Sponsorship activations (banners, signage, handouts)
- Crowd management at on-site parties
- Talent hospitality
- Set up box office, tents for staff area, and other event areas as needed
- Ongoing event tidying
- End of night cleanup, trash removal
- Ensure smooth execution of the event, including:
- General customer service and hospitality
- Crowd control and safety
- Enforce compliance with local public safety regulations including mask usage and social distancing, when necessary
- Execution of safety/emergency plans
- Venue Setup and Breakdown
- Assistant Venue Manager Roles:
- Box Office:
- Oversee crowd flow and line management
- Check in of pre-sale attendees and at the door sales
- At the door ticket sales, cash handling
- VIP and Rooftop Films member check-in
- Checking ID and vaccination requirements, as needed
- House Management:
- Oversee screening area during load in of attendees
- Set-up of seating, merchandise and information tables
- Monitor reserved seating (for VIP / ADA as needed)
- Enforcement of safety protocols (ie. crowd management, distancing, or mask use as needed)
- Box Office:
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated experience in live events, film festivals, or similar environments involving crowd management
- Excellent communication and customer service skills. Customer Service / Service industry experience is a plus, but not required
- Be culturally engaged. A familiarity with and interest in independent film is a plus.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs independently and to safely lift 50 lbs with assistance.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Adaptable to a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends.
- Ability to troubleshoot, problem solve, and remain flexible under pressure.
- Willingness to play a fluid role as part of a small, tight-knit team, balancing professionalism and a great sense of humor.
POSITION DETAILS
Start Date: Rolling throughout season (05/17/25-08/23/25)
Compensation: $20/hour
Rooftop Films is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building a culturally diverse staff and an inclusive work environment, and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds, abilities, gender expressions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, and nationalities to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and references in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate’s first and last name with subject ASSISTANT VENUE MANAGER to jobs@rooftopfilms.com. Only applications submitted in this format will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.
Stagehands (Seasonal)
Rooftop Films is looking for Stagehands to take a crucial role in the production of our Summer Series film festival, taking place May through August 2025 at outdoor locations throughout NYC. Stagehands transport, install, operate, and troubleshoot audio, visual, and lighting equipment for Rooftop Films’ Summer Series outdoor screenings. Under the supervision of our AV technicians, PAs aid in the assembly of our outdoor AV exhibition systems and are primarily responsible for the transportation and setup of equipment, including our outdoor movie screens.
Stagehands meet at our offices in Gowanus, Brooklyn for load-out and transportation of equipment to the site for setup or arrive on-site to work through the run of show, concluding with load-in at the end of the night. Because we screen in all 5 boroughs and occasionally out-of-state PAs should be prepared for a variety of work environments.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Pulling and packing equipment in an organized and efficient manner from our shop into vehicles.
- Safe transportation of equipment to venue.
- Assist Lead Technician, Audio Engineer and Projectionist with the staging and setup of A/V equipment.
- Assembly and disassembly of fast-fold and inflatable screens.
- Recovery and organization of equipment at end of night, including the return of vehicles.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, as well as a willingness to drive cargo vans, 14’, 16′, and 21′ box trucks.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs independently and to safely lift 50 lbs with assistance.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Adaptable to a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends.
- Familiarity with professional audio/visual technology and equipment a plus. This includes digital projection, analog and digital video signal routing, inflatable and folding projection screens, and sound reinforcement.
- Ability to troubleshoot, problem solve, and remain flexible under pressure.
- Willingness to play a fluid role as part of a small, tight-knit team, balancing professionalism and a great sense of humor.
POSITION DETAILS
Start Date: Rolling throughout season (05/17/25-08/23/25)
Compensation: $20 per hour. Stagehands can expect to work between 25 and 40 hours per week June through August. Excellent technicians may have the opportunity to work with us again in the winter season.
Rooftop Films is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building a culturally diverse staff and an inclusive work environment, and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds, abilities, gender expressions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, and nationalities to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and references in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate’s first and last name with subject STAGEHANDS to jobs@rooftopfilms.com. Only applications submitted in this format will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.
Volunteer Opportunities
As a nonprofit arts organization, we depend on volunteers for our growth and success! Working with Rooftop is a great opportunity to see fantastic movies (for free, of course!), learn about the inner workings of film festivals, get to know our staff, and meet the artists whose work we screen. We consistently seek volunteers for over 40 shows during our Summer Series—and you can help out at as many or as few as you’d like to.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please register here.
(Just follow the link, click “Join Organization” in upper right hand corner, then select “register new account.”)