WELCOME! Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the 16th Annual International Ocean Film Festival! We are delighted to have all of you join us! 

The IOFF is a volunteer-driven organization and only happens because of people like you. Each year over 200 volunteers contribute their time, energy, and enthusiasm to make the San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival a reality. Thank you from the deepest depths of the ocean for getting involved!

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

Online registration for on-site volunteer positions starts today - Friday, February 1st at 12:00pm (PDT). Volunteers are encouraged to register as soon as registration becomes available, as it will fill up quickly. Check out the 2019 IOFF film schedule to see a list of what films will be shown on each day of the film festival.

VOLUNTEER DUTIES

Actual duties will be delegated at the beginning of each volunteer shift by the Volunteer Coordinator or designated representative. Duties may include, but are not limited to;  greeting attendees indoors/outdoors, VIP/pre-sale check-in, ticket taker, theater usher, queue/line facilitator, concession sales, crowd control, parking pass attendant, merchandise sales, set up, and clean up. Volunteers may be able to watch the films during their volunteer time slots only if there are seats available and their tasks/roles are complete.  Volunteers must purchase tickets to other programs in order to attend the films.  This year we will be providing access to 8+ films for online viewing!  

LOCATION

The festival takes place at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason. Fort Mason is located at:
Fort Mason Center
2 Marina Boulevard   (at Buchanan Street)
San Francisco, CA 94123
www.fortmasoncenter.org

MOVIES ARE ALSO SHOWN AT:

The Roxie Theater
3117 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
roxie.com

Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/

parking

Parking is available at Fort Mason for a fee (see Fort Mason website for details). However, ample free parking is available in the surrounds, including at the Marina and throughout neighboring streets. We advise you to be mindful of parking signs and restrictions, particularly on the weekdays when a parking permit is required for more than 2 hours. During your shift you will typically not have the opportunity to go and move your car. We also advise against parking in the Safeway parking lot, as your vehicle could be towed.

Volunteer check-in

At the start of your shift you will meet a designated volunteer coordinator at the Theater entrance. Please be on time so that we can start a shift as a group and get everyone into their roles quickly. 

what to wear

Volunteers are required to wear one of our fabulous long sleeved volunteer t-shirts. We ask that you pair the shirt with a clean, nice pair of pants, jeans, shorts, or a skirt. Keep in mind there may be some light lifting and bending as part of your duties so wear something comfortable and modest. Feel free to wear a sweater or jacket with your shirt, roll up your sleeves, or accessorize as you wish. However, no logo/statement wear should be worn (small branding logos on a jacket or fleece for instance, Colombia, North Face, etc. are not an issue). You will be given a shirt at the start of your first shift and asked to wear it to all of your remaining shifts. After that the shirt is yours to keep!

what to bring

This year we will have a designated volunteer room where you can store your belongings and get ready for your shift. Only volunteers and key staff will have access to this room, however it is unlocked so we ask that you still limit what you bring and leave valuables at home. You can keep your phones on you during your shift (ringers OFF of course). If weather is predicted to be cold/rainy please plan accordingly with coats and jackets, as a few volunteer positions are outside. Feel free to bring water bottles/drinks and snacks. There is a Safeway grocery store right across from Fort Mason, and there are many eateries on Chestnut street, a short walk away if you choose to eat before, after, or between shifts. We will have a number of organizations tabling at our festival and many times this includes fantastic merchandise like books, t-shirts, hoodies, bath products etc., so you may want to bring extra cash or a card to make purchases. Again, we suggest you keep your valuables on your person. 

volunteer benefits

Apart from spending a fun filled weekend with cool, like-minded people, as a volunteer you will receive free access to a select group of  films to be viewed online. You'll also get an awesome, long sleeved IOFF t-shirt as a small way of saying thank you, and an invite to our exclusive wrap party! Note: The panel discussions do not include viewing any films.  You may want to volunteer to the film program right before the panel discussion and attend both.

Check out our Volunteer FAQs for more information. For questions and more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Livia Campos de Menezes at livia@intloceanfilmfest.org.

Open Volunteer Positions

Want to get involved in the festival's year-round operations? We're looking for some ocean lovers to help out.

Visit the IOFF's page on VolunteerMatch.org for more information, and be sure to check back often. The ocean never sleeps, and the IOFF is active year-round with events and activities in support of our mission to inspire people to care for our Blue Planet!

2019 Volunteers