Volunteer

Person wearing a volunteer t-shirt

Volunteers are a crucial part of the success of the Cascade Festival of African Films. Many budding filmmakers and film lovers find volunteering for our festival to be a wonderful experience. Not only do you see how film festivals work, but you get to learn from and support African cinema as community members or filmmakers, while deepening your knowledge and connection.

  • Volunteering gives supporters access to screenings, panels, events, and more for free
  • Meet filmmakers and network with attendees to learn more about the craft and fulfill your love of African cinema
  • Support your community, while getting a behind-the-scenes view of the industry and if you are a budding filmmaker, you get the advantage of learning how festivals work to better present your work

Outlined below are volunteer role descriptions and other FAQ details for new and returning CFAF volunteers. If this sounds like something you’d like to do for the CFAF, please apply and let us know.

Apply today

Volunteer Roles

After-film speakers

Help with audience facilitation during after-film discussions, often with filmmakers, activists, and professionals to explore concepts raised in key films during the festival.

Host Online Community Conversations

Facilitate after-film conversations with community members, leaders, or professionals exploring concepts raised in film screenings during the festival.

Fundraising

Work with the development process by helping to plan and carry out tasks including grant proposal-writing, solicitation of corporate and individual donors, delivery of sponsor benefits, communication with donors, and assisting with fundraising events.

Film Reviewer Team

Research and review potential films for the fest. View films and complete film report cards. Participate in the team dialogue process to identify film fest archives and top-priority films that meet the criteria of the festival. Participate in identifying skilled facilitators, potential resource persons, and action partners appropriate to each film and geographic area.

Audience Development Team (Marketing and Promotions)

Determine effective outreach platforms for various audiences, write and/or edit content, create design materials, conduct social media campaigns, and attend events through which to reach audiences.

Festival Outreach

Become a festival ambassador by helping us with the distribution of festival collateral in local areas. Help us get the word out to the community. We’ll provide social media, email, and text message templates you can adapt to your people – your friends, family, colleagues, community network, etc. We’re just asking for three 20-minute sessions/posts to amplify engagement.

Host Film notes

Present film audiences with an introduction to the festival and a short synopsis of the feature film.

Audio/Visual Support

Set up and manage projection equipment, audio, etc. Take photos or video footage at film showings.

Theatre venues support

Front-of-house assistance by welcoming, answering questions, and directing attendees – managing lineups, scanning tickets, ushering, and encouraging the public to vote for the People’s Choice.