Volunteer — Portland Film Festival 2026

Make the festival happen.

Join 7,000+ volunteers who have powered Oregon's largest independent film festival. One shift. Real impact.

14Years running
400+Films screened
$57.5MEconomic impact
7,000+Past volunteers
Already applied?
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Personal
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Background
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Availability
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Tracks
5
Agreement
Let's start with you
Basic contact information. All fields marked * are required.
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JPG or PNG, max 5MB. Used for your volunteer badge and profile.
First name is required
Last name is required
Valid email required
Phone number required
Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Date of birth required
Address
Please select how you heard about us
Please select one
From a friend, partner org, or corporate program.
Tell us about yourself
This helps us match you to roles where you'll thrive.
Please tell us a little about yourself
Anything relevant to festival operations — professional skills, hobbies, or past volunteer experience.
Languages
Social media optional
Availability & logistics
Check everything that applies. More availability = more options for great shifts.
When can you volunteer?
Please select at least one availability option
Logistics
T-shirts given to public-facing festival-week volunteers.
Useful for transportation and logistics roles.
We are committed to making PDXFF volunteering accessible to everyone.
Emergency contact
Emergency contact name required
Relationship required
Emergency contact phone required
Volunteer tracks
All volunteers join the General track. Optional tracks offer leadership roles and require additional information.
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General Volunteer
Festival operations, venue hosting, filmmaker services, media, community outreach
Required
Access to 100+ volunteer roles
Festival week shift selection
Volunteer lanyard + badge
Screening access between shifts
T-shirt for public-facing roles
PDXFF Crew alumni program
✓ All applicants are enrolled in the General track automatically.
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Management Track
Lead a volunteer team — shift captain, venue manager, department lead
Optional
Lead a team of volunteers
Priority shift selection
Management training program
Festival networking access
Requires: valid driver's license + consent to background check. Background checks processed by our partner — PDXFF covers the cost for approved candidates.
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Film Screener
Preview and evaluate film submissions — remote, self-paced, influential
Optional
See films before anyone else
Influence festival programming
Flexible remote work
Film knowledge not required
Requires: confidentiality agreement. You agree not to discuss, copy, or share screened content.
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Media Creator Track
Photography, videography, social media, streaming — festival documentation
Optional
Access to exclusive festival moments
Portfolio-building opportunities
Credit in PDXFF publications
Press-adjacent access
Requires: samples of previous work or brief description of your media experience.
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Translation & Interpretation
Support international filmmakers and attendees in their native language
Optional
Work closely with international filmmakers
Multilingual welcome team lead
Translation of program materials
Exclusive filmmaker access
Requires: intermediate or higher fluency in at least one language besides English.
Volunteer agreement
Please read the agreement in full before signing.

PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL — VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT 2026

This Volunteer Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Portland Film Festival ("PDXFF," "the Festival") and the individual volunteer ("Volunteer") for the 2026 festival season (approximately May–November 2026).

1. VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT

I understand that as a PDXFF volunteer, I am making a commitment to attend my assigned shifts and fulfill my role responsibilities. I agree to notify my coordinator as soon as possible — and no later than 24 hours in advance — if I am unable to fulfill a scheduled shift. I understand that repeated no-shows without notice may result in removal from the volunteer program.

2. CONDUCT & PROFESSIONALISM

I will conduct myself in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times during festival activities. I will treat all filmmakers, attendees, staff, and fellow volunteers with dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, age, disability, or any other characteristic. Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior of any kind will result in immediate removal from the volunteer program.

3. CONFIDENTIALITY

I may have access to confidential information about PDXFF operations, film submissions, filmmaker details, financial information, and internal communications. I agree to keep all such information strictly confidential and not disclose it to any unauthorized party during or after my volunteer service.

4. MEDIA & PUBLICITY

I consent to PDXFF photographing, filming, or recording me in the course of my volunteer service. I grant PDXFF the right to use my name, image, and likeness in promotional materials, social media, press releases, and publications without compensation. I will follow PDXFF's social media guidelines and will not post spoilers, unauthorized film content, or anything that could harm the Festival's reputation.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Any work product I create in the course of my volunteer service — including photographs, written content, designs, code, or other materials — is the property of PDXFF. I assign all rights in such work to PDXFF and waive any moral rights to the extent permitted by law.

6. LIABILITY WAIVER

I understand that volunteering may involve physical activity and certain inherent risks. I voluntarily assume these risks. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release PDXFF, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any and all liability for injuries, damages, or losses sustained while volunteering, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by PDXFF.

7. SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

I will follow all safety guidelines, venue rules, and coordinator instructions during my volunteer service. I will not participate in festival activities while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances. I will immediately report any safety concerns or incidents to my coordinator.

8. TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this volunteer relationship at any time for any reason. PDXFF reserves the right to remove a volunteer from the program without notice if the volunteer's conduct is harmful to the Festival, its participants, or its mission.

9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between PDXFF and the Volunteer regarding volunteer service and supersedes all prior agreements, representations, or understandings. This Agreement is valid for the 2026 festival season.

Type your full legal name as your electronic signature
Please sign and agree to the volunteer agreement
Almost there! After submitting, a PDXFF coordinator will be in touch within a few days to confirm your role — we'll reach out by phone or email.
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Application submitted!
Thank you for joining the PDXFF volunteer community. A coordinator will be in touch within a few days to confirm your role and shift details.
Application ID:
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Keep an eye on your phone — a coordinator will reach out within a few days.
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Coordinator confirms your role — they'll reach out by phone or email with your shift date and venue.
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Watch the orientation video — link coming in your confirmation email. 15 minutes.
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Show up and have fun. September 30 – October 4, 2026.