Join Our Team

The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is North America’s leading platform for Asian cinema. We are a high-energy, $1M organization fueled by a passionate audience and dedicated volunteer leadership. We are seeking a Director of Development to take the reins of our revenue operations. We are looking for a Commercial Hunter and a Strategic Activator who can build a major gifts engine and unlock the latent potential in our Board networks.

Your goal is to professionalize our revenue operations to prepare for a Full-Time Leadership Role in Year 2:

Direct Revenue: Personally identify and close Corporate Sponsorships and Major Gifts.

Board Leverage: Act as the "Campaign Manager" for our Board of Directors, making it easy for them to open doors.

1. Board Activation (30% - The Leverage)

• • Senior Board "Concierge": You will drive Board fundraising activity. You will research their networks, identify the top 3 prospects for each member, and draft the specific emails/talking points they need to open the door. You do the homework; they make the intro.
• • Associate Board Coaching: Continue the development of our Year 2 Associate Board. Provide structure, training, and "fundraising confidence" to help them grow into a functional junior fundraising body.
• • Accountability: Track Board "Give/Get" progress and ensure follow-up happens on every lead they provide.

2. Individual Major Gifts (40% - The Primary Engine)

• • The "Patron" Portfolio: Identify and cultivate a personal portfolio of 25–40 high-net-worth individuals from our audience data. Move them from "Ticket Buyers" to "Patrons" ($1k–$5k+).
• • Direct Solicitation: You will not wait for the Board to open every door. You will leverage our existing VIP lists to set up your own discovery meetings.
• • The "Red Carpet" Club: Launch and manage a high-touch membership tier for donors who want access to talent, premieres, and private dinners.

3. Corporate Sponsorship (30% - Direct Sales)

• • Asset Packaging: Repackage our festival assets (screen time, parties, awards) into commercial sponsorship tiers ($5k–$25k) that are easy for brands to buy.
• • The "Hunter" Approach: Lead direct outreach to brands that align with our demographic (Liquor, Travel, Streaming, Lifestyle), handling the negotiation and closing directly.

• • Bachelor’s degree required. Masters or higher preferred.
• • 8 or more years experience in significant fundraising required.
• • "Managing Up": Experience supporting a Board of Directors. You know how to get a busy Board member to take action without nagging them.
• • The "Closer": You are comfortable asking for money directly. You don't need a committee to hold your hand during a pitch.
• • Builder Mindset: You have experience taking a raw fundraising program and adding professional processes (CRM, Pipelines, Stewardship Plans).
• • Cultural Fluency: A passion for the NYAFF brand (edgy, global, fun) and the ability to sell that "cool" to donors.

• • Base Retainer: $6,250 per month ($75,000 annualized).
• • Performance Bonuses:
  • ◦ $1,000 Bonus at Month 3 for completing CRM setup and "Top 25" Prospect List.
  • ◦ $5,000 Retention Bonus at Month 12.
• • Conversion Option: Automatic eligibility for Full-Time Conversion ($115k Pkg) upon reaching $150k in new revenue.

Please submit a resume and a brief cover note answering: "Describe a time you successfully 'activated' a Board member to help you close a gift. What specifically did you do to make it easy for them?" Please submit your application through the Google Form: https://forms.gle/2jLhtZ6DCuyyupeHA. For questions, please contact us at info@nyaff.org.

NYAFF is seeking a creative and visual media-savvy Digital Marketing Manager to lead online campaigns and increase audience engagement with all NYAFF programs and events. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Programming, Public Relation, and Operations teams, you will recruit and manage the Digital Marketing team; develop and execute marketing strategies; manage and grow our presence across all digital platforms; and analyze key performance metrics to optimize outreach.

We would like the position to begin as soon as possible. A minimum of 10 hours per week from February to May and full-time availability from June to July is required. On-site presence is preferred during the festival dates (July 11-27, 2026).

• • Recruit, train, and manage digital marketing interns and specialists for email marketing, social media, advertising, and live event coverage
• • Develop and implement measurable digital marketing plan and strategies to enhance NYAFF brand visibility, audience engagement, and ticket sales
• • Oversee digital content creation, working with Visual Asset Manager, Graphic Designers, Video Editors, and the Photo/Video team to ensure consistent, high-quality visuals
• • Supervise social media posts, ensuring regular and engaging content across platforms (Instagram, X, Facebook, Youtube, Xiaohongshu, etc.)
• • Track and analyze digital performance metrics and industry trends to adjust marketing strategies according
• • Collaborate with media partners, sponsors, and industry contacts while seeking new online partnerships and promotional opportunities
• • Assist with writing, proofing, and revising marketing materials as needed

• • At least 1 year of work experience in digital marketing or film industry
• • Strong leadership, teamworking, and multitasking skills in fast-paced environments
• • Excellent written and verbal communication, editing, and proofreading abilities
• • A keen eye for visual media, branding, and audience engagement
• • Proficiency in Google Workspace suite and Microsoft Office
• • Familiarity with basic graphic design or video editing tools (Canva, Adobe Suite, etc.) is preferred
• • In-depth understanding of digital platforms (Instagram, X, Facebook, and Youtube), email marketing tools (Brevo), and online protocols
• • Familiarity with Asian cinema and pop culture is a plus
• • Knowledge in any Asian language (preferably Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, and Thai) is a plus

Please send your application materials to info@nyaff.org. Your application should include: (1) Resume or CV, (2) brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience, (3) portfolio (if applicable), and (4) your availability from February to July 2026.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For questions, 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!

NYAFF is seeking a customer service-focused Member Relations Specialist to expand our membership program. Reporting to the Festival Coordinator and working closely with the Development, Operations, and Digital Marketing teams, you will design and implement the membership program for NYAFF 2026, handle inquiries,

This is a hybrid, part-time position from Feb 15 - July 31, 2026, with approximately 10 hours per week required from February to May and 20 hours per week from June to July 2026. Full-time on-site availability is preferred during the festival dates (July 11-26, 2026).

• • Design and implement the membership program of NYAFF 2026.
• • Serve as the main point of contact for members, responding to inquiries, requests, and feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• • Coordinate sponsor and member recognition and appreciation efforts, including thank-you letters, listing on website, program book, newsletter, podcast and recognition at events and screenings.
• • Support the Operations team to organize member exclusive events or activities to foster networking opportunities and strengthen relationships.
• • Regularly communicate with past and new members to provide updates on organizational activities, impact, and the benefits of their sponsorship.
• • Maintain accurate records of membership interactions, communications, and preferences.

• • Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• • Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• • A passion for Asian film and culture and a commitment to advancing the organization's mission and goals.
• • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment
• • Experience in relationship management, donor stewardship, or customer service, preferably in the nonprofit sector is a plus.

Please send your application materials to info@nyaff.org. Your application should include: (1) Resume or CV, (2) brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience, and (3) your availability from February to July 2026.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For questions, 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 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is offering a select volunteer internship for a highly organized individual who wants to learn how a $1M non-profit runs from the inside out. This is an "Executive Coordinator" role. You will not be fetching coffee. Instead, you will serve as the Operational Right Hand to the leadership team. You will shadow the Head of External Affairs and Director of Development, managing the data, systems, and research that keep our fundraising engine running.

If you are looking for a "Mini-MBA" in non-profit management—where you learn to organize chaos, manage up, and coordinate high-stakes projects—this is your training ground.

1. Operations & Intelligence (The "Coordinator" Work)

• • Skill Gained: Tech Stack Proficiency, CRM Management, & Data Hygiene.
• • Task: This is the core of the role. You will own the data. You will develop and manage our master tracking sheets using Excel, Google Sheets, and Airtable. You will learn how to use CRM tools like HubSpot to ensure that our pipeline of donors is accurate, tagged correctly, and actionable.
• • Task: You will act as our lead researcher, leveraging LinkedIn and AI tools to conduct deep-dive research and build "Briefing Dossiers" on high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors.
• • Task: You will assist in managing our email marketing lists in a tool like Brevo, ensuring our donor segments are clean and ready for campaigns.

2. Executive Support (The "Right Hand" Experience)

• • Skill Gained: Project Management & Client Relations.
• • Task: Manage the "Air Traffic Control" of the department. You will help organize the fundraising inbox and coordinate schedules to ensure the leadership team is prepared and focused.
• • Task: Draft professional correspondence to partners and sponsors, mastering the art of the "soft touch" follow-up and relationship maintenance—a critical skill for future Account Managers.

3. Strategic Communications (The "Portfolio" Work)

• • Skill Gained: Business Development & Pitch Deck Design.
• • Task: Assist in building professional PowerPoint/Canva pitch decks for corporate partners. You will learn how to tak eraw data and turn it into a professional business case.
• • Task: Draft content for our donor newsletter and social channels, learning how to write "fundraising copy" that drives revenue

• • The Aspiring Operator: You are an undergraduate/graduate student OR a recent graduate looking to bridge the gap to full-time employment. You have a background in Business, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or Arts Administration and need high-level experience to put on your resume.
• • The "Type A" Organizer: You genuinely enjoy creating order. You get satisfaction from turning a messy list into a clean, color-coded spreadsheet.
• • Tech Savvy: You are comfortable learning new tools quickly. You sincerely enjoy using and see the value of employing Excel (formulas, filters, pivot tables), Google Sheets, Google Docs, Powerpoint/Google Slides, and ready to learn platforms like Airtable, HubSpot, and Brevo.
• • Reliable: We prefer 10 focused, reliable hours over 20 flakey ones.

***Please note that this role is for university-level students or graduates only. High school students are not eligible.***

• • Festival Access: Complimentary tickets to screenings and special events (Q&As, intros).
• • VIP Access: Opportunities to attend select VIP (non-public and invitation only) receptions and industry gatherings.
• • Mentorship: Weekly check-ins with senior leadership for career advice and resume reviews.
• • The "Golden" Reference: A detailed Letter of Recommendation upon successful completion.
• • School Credit: We complete all paperwork for university credit.

Please submit a resume and a brief note answering this question: "What is one organizational tool, app, or system you swear by to keep your life in order?"

Please submit your application through the Google Form: https://forms.gle/BeeQeqCzmfwYT2TP7. For questions, please contact us at info@nyaff.org.