Volunteer 2026

Volunteer

Interested in volunteering with us for the 2026 DCIFF Annual Forum (February 11-16)? We’d love to hear from you! Please fill out our volunteer interest form or email us at dciff.volunteers@gmail.com with a short paragraph about you, what you’re passionate about and why you’re interested in volunteering.

DCIFF is run entirely by volunteers committed to showcasing independent films in our nation’s capital. Long-term volunteer-staff positions usually result from volunteering for one year and then becoming a staff member the next year. We are currently looking for volunteers and interns to work in:

  • Feature/Documentary outreach and partnerships
  • Helping to set up panels and workshops
  • Event-only festival program volunteer positions start in early January 2026 with some training: all event volunteers must attend one online training session (week of January 20th).

Long-term volunteer staff are an essential part of our team and are rewarded with full access to all festival events and a job description on our team list. You attend all staff meetings and work on a specific area from now through the festival. We look for enthusiasm, staying power and willingness to work alone as well as with the team. Starting NOW!

  • Film Ambassador: Work closely with DCIFF Staff to promote the DCIFF nominated films by building interest around the topics and issues represented in the film, and connect with the filmmakers on who are relevant public figures or thought leaders to invite to the film screenings.
  • *Special Guest VIP Service: Alongside DCIFF Staff, this individual is responsible for transporting and delivering outstanding customer service to our guest of honor. *Must have a vehicle

Short-term festival program volunteers work hours in exchange for equivalent hours attending events/watching films. All volunteers must attend one festival meeting/orientation on the week of January 20th by Zoom. Many of our volunteers go on to become staff members the next year.

  • Runner: Assist with event set-up and breakdown at workshops and seminars, help transport things from one point to another and run basic errands as needed for DCIFF Staff.
  • Ticket Booth: Greet attendees, direct traffic, handles registration and tickets/passes sales, DCIFF merch purchases, and film screening information.
  • Filmmaker Booth: Greet filmmakers, handles filmmaker passes and film screening info, and takes photos on behalf of the filmmakers for a photo opt in front of DCIFF step and repeat banner.
  • Usher: After film screenings pass around the microphones during Q&A and hands out DCIFF voting ballots at the end of the film screenings.