DFF Associate Technical Director

Classification: Full-Time Seasonal

Salary Range: $13,000.00

Location: Sie FilmCenter – 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO  80206 and on location as needed

Reporting Structure: Reports to Technical Director

Position Summary:

This position will work side-by-side with the Technical Director of the festival with a primary responsibility of ensuring all screening content, media, and files are received, inspected, and delivered to festival venues in a timely manner. The Associate Technical Director will also be responsible for attending meetings, discussing preparation logistics, and making decisions in tandem with the Technical Director.

Overview:

Denver Film seeks a full-time seasonal Associate Technical Director for the Denver Film Festival, the largest premier film event in the Rocky Mountain Region that happens across multiple venues over 10 days filled with films, red carpet events, panels, and special events. With more than 130 invited guests, jurors, and panelists, the Associate Technical Director works closely with other departments across the festival and plays a critical role in the experience of filmmakers and other guests. The 49th Denver Film Festival runs from October 22 to November 1, 2026. The start date will depend on the Denver Film Festival pre-production schedule.

About Denver Film:

The first Denver International Film Festival was successfully launched in May 1978. Three years later, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Denver Film Society was created to expand opportunities to bring films to Denver that otherwise might not be shown, and to celebrate and cultivate film as an art form.  Over the years the organization has grown into one the largest and most respected cultural institutions in the Rocky Mountain region. In 2019, the organization rebranded to Denver Film to build a more inclusive organization. This effort continues as we focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across our wide array of year-round programs including Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, Women+Film Festival, CinemaQ Film Festival, CineLatinx Film Festival, Film on the Rocks, the Denver Film Festival, and other programming. Denver Film operates the Sie FilmCenter, which is the year-round cinematic home hosting over 800 films, education programs, community conversations, filmmakers from around the world, and special events throughout the year. 

Our Mission:

Our mission is to create entertaining and transformative experiences for the Colorado community through the power of diverse voices in film. 

Our Values:

• Creativity – We cultivate curiosity and innovation in everything we do to transform lives through film
• Community – We strive to create a sense of fellowship with others; we continuously explore ways in which film can foster community
• Accessibility – We advocate for diverse ideas, cultures, opinions, and needs of communities with focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Professionalism – We act with respect, integrity, and competence. We are accountable for our actions and choices
• Excellence – We challenge ourselves to mindfully curate films that educate, inform, and invoke through provocative conversations
• Collaboration – We embrace partnership and teamwork, working collaboratively to build community through film

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: In addition to other duties as assigned, this the duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

Festival Preparation

• Working directly with the Technical Director to attend meetings and make decisions about media, equipment, personnel, scheduling, and execution of all technical needs of the festival.
• Coordinating with all departments and venue staff to ensure technical needs and access are met.
• Assisting Technical Director in supervising personnel and being on site with projection staff to ensure event execution is up to industry standards.

Content Management     

• Managing media assets to ensure that all films, trailers, and promotional material are received, ingested, and tested in a timely fashion. Competency of computer file structures, databases, email, and spreadsheets are crucial.
• Communicating directly with the Programming Department (Artistic Director) to track and receive film media and maintain transparency on status of every file.
• Contacting filmmakers & distributors to arrange digital delivery via CineSend virtual delivery system, FTP uploads & downloads, or other third-party digital content hosting systems and various physical shipments.
• Inspection:
  • Verification of file integrity.
  • Anticipating and addressing potential issues with filmmakers and distributors regarding file types or delivery methods.
  • Maintaining a detailed breakdown of film information, such as runtime, aspect ratio, sound format, credits timing, language(s) & subtitles, captioning & accessibility features, encryption/decryption status, etc.
  • Collection and verification of encryption & KDM validity (including timing windows and cross-check with server IDs).
  • Duplication of media onto local and portable hard drive libraries.
  • Verification of backup content (digital files [non-DCP], Blu-Rays, DVDs, etc.).
  • Creation of DCPs from digital files or Blu-rays as necessary.
  • Post-DCP conversion inspection of file integrity.
  • Ingestion to local servers and on-screen inspection (in full, if necessary).
• Managing and scheduling of QC Volunteers for content checks.
• Content delivery and ingestion to individual venues.
• Setup of post-festival shipments back to filmmakers & distributors.
• Coordinating with Marketing and Development departments to receive, convert, test, and deliver all sponsor and branded materials and ensuring inclusion in every relevant screening.

Analog Film Projection (if applicable)

• Inspecting, repairing, and maintaining show-quality, often one-of-a-kind, archival 35mm and/or 16mm film prints.
• Understanding the mechanics and maintenance of the projectors and lenses.
• Understanding various picture and sound formats.

Special Events and Presentations

• Working directly with the Technical Director to coordinate equipment, materials, and necessities for special events and presentations as needed at various venues.
• Managing all technical needs for presentations, rentals and special events which include running PowerPoint presentations, Zoom meetings, band setups, short film packages, technical checks with filmmakers and studios, virtual presentations, panels, etc. 

Required Skills

• Experience with projection systems: Our equipment includes Christie Series-4 and Barco Series-2 projectors paired with Dolby IMS3000 and Barco Alchemy servers; CP750, CP950, AP20, and Ovation audio processors; and a variety of alternative content platforms from computers, Blu-Ray players, microphones (both wired and wireless), audio PAs and mixers, lighting systems, and camera systems, etc. 
• Computer proficiency: Experience working with a wide variety of projection-related computer systems including, but not limited to, those on MacOS, Windows, and Linux platforms. Some of the programs we use in house are: DCP-o-Matic suite, Adobe CC Suite (esp. Photoshop & Premiere), Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides, Gmail, Meet, etc.), Zoom, Handbrake, DaVinci Resolve, FileZilla, Aspera, Cyberduck, VNC, and proprietary TMS systems (Screenwriter and CineSend), etc..
• A strong understanding and ability to work with network structures. 
• Knowledge of and experience with AMIA standards regarding handling film is required.

Desired Skills

• A love of film, arts, and culture
• Commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of Denver Film
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor, including in high-pressure situations, when interacting with filmmakers/studio reps, fellow staff members, sponsors, and members of the public, etc.
• Maintaining confidentiality and security of Denver Film’s confidential information. 
• The ability to be calm and move confidently under high pressure scenarios
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while supporting the goals and initiatives of a collaborative team
• Strong time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and organizational skills
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Intermediate to advanced skills in word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation software and internet required

Special Requirements:

• Reliable access to transportation
• Able to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required
• Able to climb up and down stairs; able to climb up and down ladders; able to kneel, bend, stoop, crouch, reach and carry; able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., including up and down stairs
• Ability to work in small or confined areas

How to Apply:

Please use the form below to submit your application.

Timeline:

Review of applications begins on receipt. The deadline to apply is mid-August. If your application is moved forward, the application process may include 1-2 interviews with Denver Film staff members. The starting date will depend on the Denver Film Festival pre-production schedule.

Denver Film is an equal opportunity employer.  At Denver Film, we are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to promote inclusiveness in everything we do.  We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  Denver Film is also committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and see.  We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.