Cynematik

The economy is tight but you can still attend the 2010 Sundance Festival and, if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, you can practically do it for FREE. The Sundance Volunteer Program is an excellent way to understand the inner workings of the festival, meet a bazillion filmmakers, be the first to see the best indie films and get a really warm, collectible jacket. The 2010 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 21 through 31 and your chances of getting in are pretty good. For the 1,500 positions, they typically receive about 3,000 applications. Mathematically, you’ve got a 50/50 shot at a volunteer position … and there are different volunteer options.

Volunteer Options

Sign-Up Volunteers, 24+ hours, you sign up for your schedule:
Commit to a minimum total of 24 volunteer hours, sign up for more hours as you desire-minimum of three to six shifts (depending on shift lengths) during the Festival. Sign up in advance for specific shift times of your choosing, as available. Attend pre-Festival trainings and New Volunteer Orientation.

Full-Time Volunteers, 80+ hours, we assign a Full-Time schedule:
Commit to a pre-assigned Festival schedule of eight to 10 hours each day (approximate total of 80-90 volunteer hours).
Be available to work the entire Festival period as determined by job assignment (varies). Attend pre-Festival trainings.

Volunteer Benefits

Volunteers are essential to the Festival. We recognize the time they devote to the Festival and provide benefits to volunteers as a thank you for volunteer service. Benefits are provided in conjunction with the number of hours volunteered, and for Full-Time Volunteers, the skills needed for the position held.

All Volunteers:
Festival Access: Volunteer Credentials allow access to Festival panels and some official Festival venues on a space-available basis (similar credential costs $200). We also offer a few screenings just for volunteers. Most of all, we want to be sure volunteers can see films. For almost every screening, we set aside a certain number of tickets only for volunteers. Film access depends on the number of hours volunteered:

• 24 hours: Receive one volunteer voucher for every four hours volunteered. Volunteer vouchers are redeemable for one film ticket for the volunteer through the volunteer or waitlist line as space is available. Vouchers and credentials are non-transferable and must be used by the volunteer with their credential.
• 40 hours: Benefits above, plus two guest waitlist ticket vouchers. Another guest voucher can be earned at 60 hours.
• 80 hours/Full-Time: Vouchers are replaced by a volunteer photo credential, allowing the volunteer access to unlimited Festival screenings through the volunteer line on a space available basis (when not volunteering, of course!). Also four guest waitlist ticket vouchers, if local/providing own lodging.

Uniform: Jacket and Volunteer Credential.
Party: Ticket to the Staff and Volunteer Opening Night Party.
Refreshments such as bagels and other snacks will be provided at the offices, venues, and theatres where volunteers are working.

Email: volunteers@sundance.org
Reception Phone: (435) 658-3456
Volunteer Hotline: (435) 776-7870
For more information: Sundance Site FAQ