(I) Film & TV Festival Intern

Internship Purpose

The SXSW Film & TV department seeks an eager individual to learn more about pre-event planning at a Film & TV Festival. This internship will be a broad, hands-on introduction to the basics of internal operations, primarily focused on Festival Submissions and Accepted Filmmakers. This internship will require interfacing with those who submit to the SXSW Film & TV Festival and those who are ultimately invited, so excellent communication skills are necessary. Please note that this internship is paid.

What You Will Learn

• The ins and outs of internal operations at a major Film & TV Festival
• How to interact with Film & TV Industry Professionals, including the SXSW Film & TV Staff, filmmakers, and screening team
• How to troubleshoot various filmmaker and submission-related issues
• How to use Airtable and FileMaker Pro to become familiar with the 2026 submissions and final programming lineup
• Preparation process for Film & TV Festival materials for public consumption, including press releases, printed materials, and mass email communications
  
  
  

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support the Film & TV Staff & Filmmaker Liaison Team with administrative and on-site tasks
• Proofread public-facing materials, including press releases, schedule content, emails, and printed documents
• Update the Accepted Filmmaker FAQ and assist with maintaining accuracy
• Answer filmmaker questions and help direct them to appropriate resources via email
  
  
  

On-site Responsibilities:

• Assist with Filmmaker Check-In.
• Work at the Filmmaker Help Desk during registration hours and serve as a contact for the Accepted Filmmaker's needs.
• Distribute film guest tickets and troubleshoot badge registration issues.
• Create an email automation to keep filmmakers informed about informal hangouts, happy hours, and award winners.
  
  
  

Qualifications & Skills

To be eligible for the SXSW Film & TV Festival Internship, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or college and live in Texas.

• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and sharp attention to detail
• Manage multiple tasks independently with a proactive, can-do attitude
• Take initiative and contribute supportively in a fast-paced environment
• Communicate clearly and professionally via phone, email, and in person
• Work well in a collaborative team setting while maintaining professionalism
• Stay composed and flexible when priorities shift quickly during the event
• Have working knowledge of Google Workspace; experience with Airtable, Filemaker Pro, ClickUp, and macOS is a plus
• Maintain full availability during the SXSW event, including evenings and weekends
  
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully:

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally, as needed.
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, which may include exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.
  
  
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Location, Schedule & Pay

This position is located in Austin, Texas. The time commitment is a maximum of 16 hours per week—availability of 40 hours per week during the event is required. Core business office hours are Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm CT. This position requires living and working in Austin, Texas. This is a paid internship at $12.00/hr.