Volunteer recruitment for TFF26 has ended on February 2.
We’ll be in touch with our selections and work assignments within two weeks from the end of the recruitment period. Please remember to check your spam folder as well. Due to the large number of applicants, we might not be able to offer assignments for all who applied.
Our volunteer team leaders will schedule volunteers’ shifts and organise induction sessions before the festival. You’ll find more information on different assignments at TFF below.
Have questions about volunteering or the recruitment process? Contact our volunteer coordinator: pinja.pinola@tff.fi
Thank you to all who applied!
WHAT WE EXPECT
Applicants should be at least 18 years old and ready to commit to assigned tasks and shifts. There is no upper age limit for volunteering! A positive attitude and flexibility are crucial for maintaining a smooth working atmosphere and ensuring a fantastic festival week for everyone. Fluency in Finnish is essential for specific customer service roles, and proficiency in other languages is considered a valuable asset.
Tampere Film Festival operates on the principles of equity, justice, and equality. We ask our staff and volunteers to adhere to these values and commit to the Safer Space Principles.
FESTIVAL WORK SCHEDULE AND SHIFTS
Each shift has a duration of 5–8 hours, and volunteers are expected to contribute on a minimum of three different days. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s preferences when scheduling shifts. Working hours may vary, spanning from early mornings to late nights, depending on the assigned team. Some tasks may also be scheduled before or after the festival week.
WHAT WE OFFER
STAFF PASS AND ACCESS TO SCREENINGS
All volunteers will receive a personal Staff Pass, granting free access to all normal-priced (12,50 €) screenings (subject to seat availability). Additionally, volunteers will receive a free voucher for the Festhome TV platform, allowing online viewing of festival program*. Staff Pass holders can also enjoy other benefits, including discounts at our collaborating restaurants.
* Not all festival screenings are available on Festhome.
FESTIVAL T-SHIRT
As a volunteer, you will receive a Tampere Film Festival T-shirt. The T-shirt is the same style as in previous years. For environmental reasons, we have designed the T-shirt to be long-lasting, and if you have volunteered before, we encourage you to continue using your existing T-shirt.
STAFF FOOD AND FACILITIES
For every 5-hour shift, volunteers will receive a food coupon. To ensure dietary preferences and allergies are accommodated, please specify them in the registration form. Staff rooms at venues or nearby locations will be available for festival staff, offering refreshments and light snacks. You can also bring your own small snacks to your shift.
STAFF PARTY
At the end of the festival week, volunteers will be invited to the traditional closing party as a thank-you, with refreshments and a chance to enjoy time together. The exact location and time of the closing party on Sunday, 8 March, will be announced closer to the festival week.
WORK EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATE OF VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes insights and contribute to the festival’s success. It’s a chance to meet new people, hone existing skills, or learn something entirely new. Work certificates for festival volunteers are available upon request. Join us in creating an unforgettable festival experience!
DESCRIPTIONS OF TEAMS
ANNOUNCERS
As an announcer, your role is to welcome audiences to the screenings and inform them which screening is about to begin. In some cases, you will also introduce the filmmakers present. Announcements are made in the screening rooms in both Finnish and English. Strong language skills and confidence in speaking in front of an audience are considered an advantage for this role.
The work takes place from Wednesday to Sunday of the festival week.
CATERING
As part of the catering team, you will assist with various food and beverage service tasks at events, such as those held at the Festival Centre. Your duties may include preparing and setting up refreshments, serving food and drinks and light lifting and carrying.
The work takes place from Tuesday of the festival week through to the following Monday.
CREW
The Crew team is the most versatile group at the festival, providing assistance to festival production in technical setup, logistics, administration, event organisation, and more. Working hours and tasks within the Crew team are flexible, offering various potential shifts before, during, and after the festival week.
There are a wide range of tasks available both during the festival week and in the days before and after.
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM
Fluent Finnish language skills are required for customer service roles.
In this customer service role, a positive and cheerful attitude, along with appropriate attention to detail, will help you succeed. Within the customer service team, your duties may include working at ticket sales or at the staff & shop desk. Ticket sales points are located at Cine Atlas and Niagara, while shop points can be found at Cine Atlas and the festival centre. The team works with a ticketing system and standard card payment terminals, and volunteers will receive training in their use. Cash is not handled at the festival.
The work takes place from Monday to Sunday of the festival week.
DOOR PERSONNEL
The Door Personnel Team plays an important part in the smooth operation of our festival. In this role, you will be responsible for checking tickets at the entrance to the screening room and ensuring the smooth running and overall comfort of the screening. There are two screening venues at the festival: Cine Atlas and Niagara. Your responsibilities may also include small assisting tasks at your assigned venue, as needed.
The work takes place from Monday to Sunday during the festival week.
FESTIVAL BAR
This new role requires a confident customer service attitude, stamina, and strong teamwork skills. At the festival’s new licensed bar area, you will sell and serve drinks, keep the space tidy, and experience the opening year of a brand-new festival area creating a fresh festival atmosphere!
The work takes place from Wednesday to Saturday of the festival week.
GUEST INFO
As a member of the Guest Info team, you will be responsible for assisting both domestic and international guests, as well as distributing and selling festival materials and screening tickets. The team also uses a ticketing system and standard card payment terminals, and volunteers will receive training in their use. Language skills are an advantage for this role, as guests are assisted in both Finnish and English.
The work takes place from Tuesday to Saturday of the festival week.
HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSONS
This important role requires presence, calmness, and strong listening skills. Your task is to ensure the principles of a safer space are upheld and to respond to any harassment incidents. In this team, you will work in pairs, attending various festival events, which take place both during the day and late into the evening.
The work takes place from Wednesday to Saturday of the festival week.
HOST TEAM
In this team, you will assist the guest coordinators with tasks such as managing the jury’s schedules and guiding them, as well as supporting any guest excursions and events. In addition, you may help with various day-to-day tasks as needed. English language skills and an outgoing, enthusiastic attitude are desirable for this role.
The work takes place from Tuesday to Sunday of the festival week.
STREET TEAM
As part of the Street Team, you spread the festival spirit by distributing posters and various advertising materials to various locations around the Tampere area. The tasks take place between 30 January and 3 March, and you will be contacted even before the volunteer application period ends. Distribution days are arranged in consultation with the volunteer. The distribution is carried out independently. If you wish, you can also take part in other volunteer tasks during the festival week.
