We are currently recruiting for four voluntary positions on the Indy Film Library team: Film Critic, Hollywood Hegemony Section Editor, Social Media Lead and Events Lead. Full details on all roles and how to apply are below.
Film Critic – Indy Film Library (Remote)
Indy Film Library is a movie review service, which grew out of the need of independent filmmakers to receive feedback on their work. Alongside our reviews of new films, we also present a range of analysis and debate pieces focusing on established cinema, highlighting new trends and best practices to our audience of movie-makers and movie-lovers.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us expand our team of critics, and currently post two reviews per week.
Reporting to Indy Film Library’s Chief Editor, the successful applicant will be available to draft at least one article of 500-1000 words per month.
While the writing schedule is flexible, keeping to deadlines is important. Candidates must be capable of delivering content at the time they promise it.
This position requires keen attention to detail above all else. The films submitted must be treated with respect, and watched in full before writers offer opinions on them.
Good people skills are also important – and where possible, writers will need to be respectful to the artists whose work is involved, even when supplying arguments as to why it is of lower quality. Indy Film Library does not tear films apart for the sake of cheap entertainment; it is a constructive feedback service.
A solid command of written English is needed – but it is not essential to be a native speaker to apply for this role.
Applicants should email a copy of their CV, a cover letter of no more than 500 words, and an example of previous writing, to Jack Brindelli, at indyfilmlibrary@gmail.com.
We anticipate the role will require a commitment of roughly four hours per week and will have the following responsibilities:
- Contributing reviews of independent films on an ad hoc basis
- Representing Indy Film Library at external events
In line with this role description, we are looking for applicants with the following skills, experiences and attributes:
Required
- Enthusiastic writer
- Self-motivated
- Lover of cinema in all its forms
- Competent written English
- Solid proof-reading skills
- Adherence to deadlines
- Availability to draft at least one article per month
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as collaboratively in a team
- Knowledge of and interest in cinema and film history
Desirable
- Developed, fluid, individual writing style
- Previous experience writing film reviews
- Deep understanding of film theory and practice
- Respectful attitude toward artists
Applicants should email a copy of their CV and a cover letter to Jack Brindelli, at indyfilmlibrary@gmail.com.
Section Editor – Hollywood Hegemony (Remote)
Hollywood Hegemony is Indy Film Library’s section dedicated to ideological, academic or polemic analysis of mainstream cinema in all its forms. Compared to the usual reviews, this means the section is more focused on films which have been released to audiences in cinemas, or have achieved a cult following thanks to home video releases.
This role is ideal for film-buffs who love to think and talk about films of all shapes and sizes, and offer up a different perspective on them to readers.
Reporting to IFL’s Chief Editor, the successful candidate will be able to provide at least one article every two weeks on a topic of their choosing – either from themselves, or from a contributor they have sourced. At the same time, they will be responsible for growing a team of writers for the section, in order to help expand and improve the section in the future.
We anticipate the role will require a commitment of roughly four hours per week and will have the following responsibilities:
- Copy editing and proof-reading content
- Writing and implementing strategy for the Hollywood Hegemony section
- Working with, supporting and developing a team of regular writers in your section
- Sourcing content from external contributors
- Assisting with the general work and responsibilities of the editorial team
- Representing Indy Film Library at external events
- Attending monthly Coordinator meetings, usually remotely
- Contributing content on an ad hoc basis
In line with this role description, we are looking for applicants with the following skills, experiences and attributes:
Required
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Strong and fluid written communication
- Self-motivated
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as collaboratively in a team
- Knowledge of and interest in cinema and film history
Desirable
- Experience of working in an editorial capacity
- Familiarity with WordPress.com
- Connections with filmmakers, student artistic initiatives, or industry figures
- Experience in a support or mentoring role
- Experience in writing and delivering strategies
Applicants should email a copy of their CV, a cover letter of no more than 500 words, and an example of previous writing, to Jack Brindelli, at indyfilmlibrary@gmail.com.
Social Media Lead (Remote)
In its work to support and promote the independent film industry, Indy Film Library needs to build a strong and unified social media presence.
As well as a 500+ strong Facebook page, we also have smaller footprints on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, but our team does not have the time to grow this.
We are therefore looking for a volunteer to help us expand our social media base, while also helping to push it beyond its current ‘bare minimum’ form to find innovative and creative new ways of engaging our readership.
Reporting to Indy Film Library’s Chief Editor, the successful applicant must be available to devise and implement social media strategy at least once every week.
While the exact schedule of that is flexible, keeping to this deadline is important. At the same time, this is not a role for a consultant, and Indy Film Library is not looking for advice its current team will need to implement. The successful candidate will need to be capable of taking the initiative, and delivering the social media strategy which they devise.
A solid command of written English is needed – but it is not essential to be a native speaker to apply for this role. More importantly, the right candidate will be able to take the materials provided by the Indy Film Library website, and craft them into engaging, less formal content, which followers will feel encouraged to interact with.
Applicants should email a copy of their CV, a cover letter of no more than 500 words, and an example of previous writing, to Jack Brindelli, at indyfilmlibrary@gmail.com.
Required
- Knowledge of social media platforms, and how to engage with their respective users
- A clear vision of how to improve Indy Film Library’s social media presence
- Initiative to devise and execute social media campaigns
- Competent written English
- Adherence to deadlines
Desirable
- Personable posting style
- Previous experience managing social media accounts
- Capable of image construction via either GIMP or Photoshop
- Developed social media presences of their own where they would cross promote
Event Lead – Indy Film Library Awards (Remote)
If you are a film lover who is not only hungry to enjoy new content from filmmakers around the world, but keen to nurture the future talents of the industry, this role is for you.
In its work to support and promote the independent film industry, Indy Film Library hosts regular online events showcasing the best films it has received.
Along with our recent annual awards screening, we also hosted showcases for student short films and experimental films, and a Halloween horror event over the last year. In our fourth cycle, we plan on expanding this to include an event focusing on animations.
In order to drive this growth, we are looking for a volunteer to take a lead on our annual events, which have until now been organised by our writers. Separating this role will help do justice to some incredible films and filmmakers from around the world.
Reporting to Indy Film Library’s Chief Editor, the successful applicant will need to bring a fresh perspective to the way IFL has been running events, and have an idea of how to change that format to improve engagement. They will be expected to view films submitted to Indy Film Library, and be able to select which work well together, before planning an event for them to be screened at. They must be able to work to a set schedule.
This is not a role for a consultant, and Indy Film Library is not looking for advice its current team will need to implement. The successful candidate will need to be capable of taking the initiative, and delivering the event strategy which they devise.
A solid command of written English is needed – but it is not essential to be a native speaker to apply for this role.
Applicants should email a copy of their CV, a cover letter of no more than 500 words, and an example of previous writing, to Jack Brindelli, at indyfilmlibrary@gmail.com.
Required
- Passion about independent cinema
- Understanding of how to build a selection of films into a coherent programme
- Knowledge of online film-screening platforms
- Event marketing knowhow
- Competent written English
- Adherence to deadlines
Desirable
- Previous events experience
- Contacts with cinemas who could facilitate physical screenings too
- Capable of image construction via either GIMP or Photoshop
- Developed social media presences of their own where they would cross promote
Why Indy Film Library?
If you are an aspiring writer, film-lover or culture enthusiast, Indy Film Library is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your skills to a global readership of thousands of people every month.
Organisation overview
Founded by Chief Editor Jack Brindelli in 2019, the Amsterdam-based project quickly grew to five regular contributors, each driven by the desire to champion new creative talent, and offer the necessary advice for it to flourish.
Having worked in the industry, making movies, running film festivals, or covering them as journalists, we recognised that the vast majority of film festivals do not provide analysis of the films they reject – denying fledgling directors the opportunity to hear about where their work fell short, or how they might improve and be selected for top screening events in the future. We subsequently provide a hybrid service to artists who submit work to us; like a traditional festival, we host an annual screening selection of the very best films we receive – but unlike a traditional festival, we assess every single film we receive, publishing in-depth reviews on their contents with the aim to help creators learn from their mistakes, and strengthen their next production.
The website now reaches thousands of readers every month, as well as reaching listeners on Spotify and YouTube with its fortnightly podcast Tube Rats. Meanwhile, its annual festival celebrating the best submissions of the year has completed two full cycles, and has been attended by hundreds of film enthusiasts in the UK and the Netherlands.