Be part of something extraordinary this summer. The New York Asian Film Festival—celebrated for its bold, diverse, and dynamic programming—seeks passionate volunteers to help shape our 24th season this July. Your talents will directly strengthen this vital platform that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and champions the innovation, creativity, and richness of Asian storytelling. Gain invaluable industry connections and exclusive festival access while making meaningful impact. Transform your passion for Asian cinema into action—join our dynamic team today. We are working on it now!

Benefits for All Volunteer Positions

• • Exclusive Access: Complimentary tickets to select festival screenings and events
• • Networking Opportunities: Build connections with filmmakers, industry professionals, and fellow cinephiles
• • Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in film festival operations and arts administration
• • Community: Join a passionate group dedicated to celebrating Asian cinema and culture
• • Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Get an insider's view of festival operations and film exhibition
• • Credit & Recognition: Receive acknowledgment in festival materials and potential recommendation letters
• • Cultural Engagement: Immerse yourself in diverse perspectives through Asian cinema
• • Travel Reimbursement: For eligible positions, transportation costs may be covered

How to Apply

Please send your application materials to the appropriate email address listed below. Use the subject line: "Position Title, First Name, Last Name"

• • Guest Relations Positions: guestrelations@nyaff.org
• • Photography/Videography: chris.kammerud@nyaff.org
• • All Other Positions: info@nyaff.org

Your application should include:

• • Resume or CV
• • Brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience
• • Portfolio (for design, marketing, and photography positions)
• • Availability during the festival period (July 11-27, 2025)

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Time commitment varies by role, with a minimum requirement of 3-4 shifts during the festival period. For questions regarding any position, please contact us at info@nyaff.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to the NYAFF team as we celebrate the vibrant world of Asian cinema!

The Volunteer Coordinator's responsibilities include recruiting and training new volunteers, keeping a database of volunteer information and skills, matching volunteers to opportunities that suit their skills, keeping volunteers informed, and conveying the organization's purpose to the public.

This hybrid position runs from May 15 - July 31, with full-time on-site availability required during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Recruiting, training, and supervising new volunteers.
• • Collecting volunteer information, availability, and skills, and maintaining an up-to-date database.
• • Using marketing tools such as outreach programs, e-mails, and volunteer databases.
• • Keeping new and existing volunteers informed about the organization and volunteer opportunities.
• • Matching volunteers to opportunities that suit their skill sets, and ensuring they understand their responsibilities and receive the proper training.
• • Organizing training and leading on-the-job training.
• • Keeping schedules and records of volunteers' work.
• • Preparing codes of conduct and operating procedures to uphold the organization's values.

• • Experience in volunteering and recruitment.
• • Working knowledge of databases.
• • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• • Excellent organization and team-building skills

NYAFF is looking for two enthusiastic and motivated interns to join our Public Relations team. Reporting to the PR Manager and working closely with the Digital Marketing, Guest Relations, and Operations teams, PR interns will play a key role in supporting media outreach, coordinating press opportunities, and ensuring publicity efforts before and during the festival.

This internship begins immediately. A minimum of 20 hours per week required leading up to the festival. Full-time on-site availability is required during the festival dates (July 11-27).

• • Assist the PR Manager with media relations, managing interview requests, and following up on press releases
• • Coordinate with Guest Relations, press, and interpreters to schedule interviews and press conferences with filmmakers
• • Follow and help execute the press schedule, manage time effectively, and ensure interviews on track
• • Support red carpet events and manage press check-in on-site
• • Help handle on-site press requests with professionalism
• • Communicate clearly and effectively with the PR manager, other NYAFF staff, and festival volunteers to help ensure a seamless festival run

• • Detail-oriented team player with excellent communication skills
• • Professional and personable when working with press and high-profile guests from diverse backgrounds
• • Strong multitasking and problem-solving abilities
• • Comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
• • Proficiency in Google Workspace suite and Microsoft Office
• • Fluency in any Asian language (especially Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, and Thai) is a plus
• • Prior PR experience including media relations and premiere events is a plus

• • Full access to screenings and public events at NYAFF 2025
• • Gain experience, build your resume, and expand your network in the Asian/American film industry
• • Reimbursement of commuting costs and expenses

Please email your resume and cover letter to info@nyaff.org. Feel free to drop us an email with any questions you may have!

As the main point of contact and face of NYAFF for guests, you will assist in preparing for their stay and providing support throughout their visit. Your primary focus will be on seamless communication and providing a warm reception to ensure guest satisfaction during their time at NYAFF.

This position requires full-time on-site availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Collect and Coordinate Flight Details: Organize guest flight information and keep track of any updates.
• • Coordinate Check-Ins and Check-Outs: Assist guests to ensure smooth and timely check-ins and check-outs.
• • Ensure Timely Arrival: Manage guest arrival times at the cinema for press interviews, intros, Q&As, receptions, and red carpets.
• • Handle Complaints: Work with management to resolve guest issues professionally and follow up to ensure resolution.
• • Maintain Communication: Act as a liaison between NYAFF staff and guests, keeping open lines of communication.
• • Language Skills: Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, Thai, and other Asian languages are preferred.

• • Strong organizational and teamwork skills, with the ability to multitask efficiently.
• • Excellent communication skills and the ability to share information in a fast-paced environment.
• • Assertive problem-solving abilities.
• • Full availability during festival dates.

You will be responsible for arranging ground transportation for guests and coordinating with the hospitality team to create schedules and ensure seamless transport.

This position requires full-time on-site availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Allocate Car Captains: Assign car captains to manage transportation needs.
• • Manage Ride Apps: Handle ride app arrangements for guests.
• • Check Transportation Schedules: Review schedules daily to ensure all pickups are covered.
• • Liaise with Team Members: Communicate regularly with the car captain and other hospitality teammates.
• • Manage Crises: Handle unexpected changes, such as car captain cancellations, and find replacements.
• • Coordinate Special Events: Work with the team to arrange additional pick-ups for special events.

• • Strong organizational and teamwork skills, with the ability to multitask efficiently.
• • Excellent communication skills and the ability to share information in a fast-paced environment.
• • Assertive problem-solving abilities.
• • Full availability during festival dates.

Create tailored itineraries for guests, collaborating closely with the operations and programming teams to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information.

This position requires full-time on-site availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Create Guest Itineraries: Design itineraries for assigned guests, ensuring all necessary details are included.
• • Collaborate with Team: Work with other hospitality assistants to maintain updated itineraries.

• • Strong organizational and teamwork skills, with the ability to multitask efficiently.
• • Excellent communication skills and the ability to share information in a fast-paced environment.
• • Assertive problem-solving abilities.
• • Full availability during festival dates.

Manage flight and accommodation arrangements for guest, and their requests during their stay. Coordinate with the ground transportation coordinator to schedule airport pickups.

This position requires full-time on-site availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Book Flights and Accommodations: Arrange travel and lodging for guests and monitor any changes.
• • Coordinate Transportation: Work with the ground transportation coordinator to organize airport pickups.

• • Strong organizational and teamwork skills, with the ability to multitask efficiently.
• • Excellent communication skills and the ability to share information in a fast-paced environment.
• • Assertive problem-solving abilities.
• • Full availability during festival dates.

As a Guest Relations volunteer, you are the main point of contact and face of NYAFF for a number of assigned invited guests, providing assistance and help throughout their stay. You are responsible for giving a warm reception to the guests and making sure that they are satisfied with their visit at the NYAFF. Guest Relation volunteers are responsible for maintaining open lines of communication between staff, guests, and NYAFF Management.

These positions require full-time on-site availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025.

• • Work closely with the Guest Relations team to arrange ground transportation for NYAFF guests between airports, hotels and venues based on itineraries
• • Pick up NYAFF guests from the airports and hotels, as well as festival venues, by using our reserved car service
• • Ensure the timely arrival of guests at the cinema for press interviews, introductions, Q&As, receptions, and red carpet events
• • Collaborate with the Guest Relations team to assist filmmakers, team members, and industry professionals during their time at NYAFF
• • Handling complaints is crucial, as things don’t always run smoothly. It's important to work with management to resolve complaints and then follow up to ensure everything is back on track.
• • Communication. Be responsible for maintaining open lines of communication between staff and guests

• • Familiarity with at least one Asian language, especially Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, or Thai
• • Problem solving abilities
• • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams
• • Experience in hospitality or customer service is a plus

Volunteers will have the opportunity to attend screenings in exchange for their essential part in making the festival happen.

These positions require availability during the festival dates, July 11-27, 2025, with a minimum commitment to work three full shifts (approximately 15 hours in total).

• • Greeting and actively interacting with guests at the venue's front desk
• • Selling festival merchandise and distributing tickets for special guests
• • Handing out and collecting raffle tickets and opinion surveys
• • Crowd control and ushering
• • Running microphones for Q & A events
• • Answering guest questions about screenings and show times
• • Light cleanup after receptions
• • A minimum commitment to work three full shifts (approx. 15 hours in total)

As a volunteer for NYAFF, you will be given the opportunity to shoot a selection of festival events such as red carpets, step-and-repeats, film introductions, q&a's, award ceremonies, and special programming such as the night market.

These positions run from July 11-27, 2025, with a minimum commitment of 3 days during the festival period.

• • Documenting festival’s red carpet and q&a events
• • Capturing photos of incoming talent
• • Editing and uploading photos for publication
• • Shifts will be approximately six hours for a minimum of 3 days

• • Portfolio of past professional work
• • Working knowledge of Lightroom or equivalent photo editing software
• • Experience with event photography / videography
• • Video-editing skills are a plus