The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance invites you to become a part of Philadelphia QFest (formerly The Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival), July 9-20, 2009, through our many volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers play an essential role in making our festival an annual success!

We are currently recruiting venue managers, ushers, box office personnel, program guide distributors, and advanced ticket sales representatives. We prefer that all volunteers attend one of a series of volunteer training sessions, held throughout late June and early July.
Look over the volunteer positions and contact us to RSVP for the appropriate training session. Our festival scheduling runs on evening or half-day shifts (approximately 5-6 hours).

Trained and Returning volunteers may sign up for shifts beginning Wednesday, July 10, 2009, by emailing volunteers@phillycinema.org with the preferred date, time, venue and position to be reserved. ALL volunteers requesting Manager, Box Office or Advance Ticket Sales positions MUST be trained!

• To view the Training Schedule, please click QFest Volunteer Training Schedule
• To view the Venue Shift Schedule, please click QFest Venue Volunteer Schedule
• To view the Advance Sales Schedule, please click QFest Advance Sales Schedule

Manager:
The Manager is the primary position at the venue. The duties include overseeing the volunteer staff by logging in the attendance on the box office sheet, assigning duties and break times. The Manager, more importantly, is in charge of traffic flow: managing the lines, determining when the audience is let into the theatre and all aspects of crowd control. The Manager handles all audience issues and complaints. The Manager NEVER sees the films on their shifts. Managers must have some sort of previous management experience, must be cleared by the Festival Operations Staff before signing up and must attend a Manager/Box Office training session.
Shift time: As specified on the schedule, until the end of the last film or the start of the next Manager shift.
2 comps per shift

Box Office:
The Box Office Volunteer sells ‘Day of Show’ tickets at the festival venues. The duties include filling out all the Box Office paperwork, keeping track of how many seats are left in the theatre during each show and most importantly, managing the day’s cash sales. The box office Volunteer NEVER sees films on their shifts.
Shift time: As specified on the schedule, until the Box Office sheets have been completed and the money counted.
2 comps per shift

Usher:
The Usher rips the tickets as people enter the theatre, hands out ballots before the film and collects ballots after the film. Duties also include counting the ballots and ticket stubs, between films to track attendance, and smiling! This role is the most public face of the Festival and is critical to our patrons enjoying their experience. While it is possible that ushers may see part of the film during their shift, priorities should fall towards completing all necessary tasks first. No Usher may leave their post without permission from the venue manager.
Shift time: As specified on the schedule, until at least 30 minutes after the last show or the next shift arrives. At least one Usher must stay with the Manager until the end of the last film.
1 comp per shift

Greeter:
Similar to an Usher, the Greeter is a position that serves as the “face of the festival.” The role of the Greeter is to provide an upbeat, energetic vibe as patrons enter the theatre lobby, before and after a film. The Greeter must be personable, energetic, and constantly smiling! Duties also may include assisting festival patrons and taking on ushering tasks when necessary.
Shift time: As specified on the schedule, until at least 30 minutes after the last show or the next shift arrives.
1 comp per shift

Floater:
The Floater is an on-call volunteer that is available to help, where needed, during the run of the festival. The Floater must be trained as both a Venue Manager and Box Office Volunteer, as well as, having at least 1 year of experience working with our festival. Candidates for this position must have a reliable mode of transportation and a cellular phone.
Shift time: Delegated as needed.
Comps appropriated based on position filled.

Advanced Ticket Sales:
These shifts are either at the TLA Video store at 1520 Locust Street or at Festival Ticketing Office at 234 Market Street. Duties include selling tickets on the computer and taking cash, check or credit card payments, either in person or over the phone. Computer and customer service skills are required. We reserve the right to screen volunteers for this position.
Shift times: 3 hour shifts, scheduled based on location needs.
1 comp per shift

Distribution:
This job entails delivering program guides and festival literature to areas that you know well, replenishing once supplies run out. A car is required for most distribution, although sometimes a person is needed to ride shotgun for Center City distribution. One caution – please do not hoard any literature – it costs money and we implore you to return any that you have left when you are done with distribution. We require a list of drop off locations and amounts.
Shift times: At your discretion. A detailed list of distribution locations is required before comps are given.
1 comp for every 3 boxes of program guides distributed

Special Events:
This position primarily involves assisting with Opening & Closing Nights, as well as, various other Festival parties and events, selling or taking tickets at the door, assisting with the set up and break down of each event, greeting patrons and directing traffic flow.
Shift times: Varies based on the start and end time of each particular event.
1 comp per shift