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!

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

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

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