Are You The Next MWF Director?

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About the Festival

Melbourne WebFest is Australia’s biggest celebration of web series and the fourth festival of its kind in the world. The festival honours innovative digital creators, cast and crew, presenting over 25 + awards to entrants and has featured series from over 20 countries since conception.

Melbourne WebFest was founded in 2013 to celebrate web series as an emerging and entrepreneurial medium within the screen ecology, a disruptive and innovative way to engage audiences, and a burgeoning career platform for creators. Today, digital series creators continue to drive the storytelling revolution, as web-based platforms and networks have become the norm for audiences in consuming content.

Melbourne WebFest provides a space for professional development that nurtures emerging artists, early-mid careers as well as established screen producers. We additionally present and represent a diversity that is often overlooked in mainstream media. We promote accessible content and create opportunities for new and established artists to showcase their work, to grow creatively and commercially, and we curate a program for the general public to experience the best new works and ideas in the digital series space.

 

About the Role

Melbourne WebFest is currently recruiting for a Festival Director and welcomes applicants who are passionate about short form series, celebrating digital content and bringing creatives together. The Festival Director is supported by a core events team and the Advisory Board to curate a program of screenings, professional development sessions and lead the award selection process. This role has previously been shared by two co-directors, so we encourage joint expressions from existing creative collaborators.

While the Festival Director has ultimate responsibility for organisational administration and development of the event, they will be strongly supported by the Advisory board (made up of previous MWF Directors and industry professionals) and the current Festival management team to deliver the event, particularly in the handover period.

This will begin as a volunteer role as funding for the next iteration of the festival is yet to be confirmed. This role is a great opportunity for early to mid-career creators, industry or events professionals, to develop their skills and build their networks. Many of the current team members will be stepping down and the incoming Festival Director will have the ability to assemble their own team.

 

Key responsibilities:

  • Stage the annual festival including developing the program of screenings and events
  • Guide the curation process with a programming team
  • Manage a team of contractors, interns and volunteers to deliver the festival
  • Build on and source new sponsorship relationships and funding avenues
  • Develop and oversee risk assessments, budgets and planning for the festival
  • Develop and manage ticket sales, marketing and advertising of the festival

 

The ideal candidate may have a combination of the following:

  • Experience in festival, arts or film industries
  • Managerial experience
  • Strong financial literacy and ability to manage budgets
  • Demonstrated fundraising skills and ability to identify, secure and manage financial and in-kind partnerships
  • Demonstrated high level project management or event management skills
  • Experience leading and motivating small teams
  • Verbal and written communication skills including public speaking experience
  • Networking and relationship management skills
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • A passion for film and screen stories – personal curating experience is not necessarily required

 

Applicants will have a passion for the industry and interest in helping it grow. If you are interested in the role please contact Lauren Colosimo, Festival Director at lauren@melbournewebfest.com with one of the following:

  • bio
  • Resume
  • LinkedIn profile address