Ragtag Film Society is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are actively dedicated to hiring employees who reflect the communities we serve, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. RFS will provide accommodations in all aspects of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. Ragtag Film Society is dedicated to equal opportunity employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran or disabled status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.
ABOUT THE FEST
True/False exists in a permeable, in-between land—bounded by fiction and nonfiction, but also bridging cultures and disciplines. Within that space, we encourage an atmosphere of innovation and excitement, free of the heat and stress of the market. Here’s where a revolutionary new alloy can be forged, the future of an urgent art. Far from the mountains, oceans, media machines or other perks that usually mark a festival destination, Columbia is a friendly college town of over 100,000 people. The festival was started locally, and it is now a grassroots phenomenon, and “filmmaker utopia”, selling 50,000 tickets and supported by 1,000 volunteers. More than anything, we take pride in creating a joyful, festival atmosphere that simultaneously takes the movies very seriously.
True/False is a project of the Ragtag Film Society, a nonprofit organization with a 20-year history of showcasing transformative cinema and art in Columbia, Missouri through its two projects–True/False Film Fest and Ragtag Cinema. Ragtag Film Society was recently named the 2018 Arts Organization of the Year by the Missouri Arts Council and the 2018 Small Business of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
We seek out the most creative, energetic people and give them the tools to transform the downtown core of Columbia, both indoors and out. When the festival remakes ordinary spaces into magical, temporary spots, it inspires attendees and townies. T/F showcases downtown Columbia and its potential. In addition to the opportunity to be an influential part of one of the most exciting cultural events in the Midwest, festival positions offer a high degree of autonomy and flexibility in scheduling. You’ll be working with some of the most talented, creative individuals in mid-Missouri, the T/F Core; a crack squad of folks who work year-round to pull off one of the most vibrant cultural events in the Midwest, and to run a homegrown venue showcasing the best in U.S. independent and international filmmaking. We offer a laid-back but professional culture, where all ideas are welcome, and creativity and entrepreneurship are valued and rewarded.
CURRENT LISTINGS:
MARKETING AND DESIGN CONTENT COORDINATOR - RAGTAG FILM SOCIETY
Overview: Ragtag Film Society is seeking a motivated marketing and design professional with a love for the society’s cultural mission and a passion for cultivating its voice and brand across all marketing tools from social media, website, and design. The marketing and design content coordinator will help produce engaging, clever, and informative digital and print content for Ragtag Film Society’s two projects — Ragtag Cinema and True/False Film Fest.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the Marketing & Communications Director in implementing an RFS-wide marketing strategy
- Work with Director to manage social media strategy & channels for True/False Film Fest and Ragtag Cinema
- Design, schedule, and publish social media content for all channels
- Assist in the design, creation, and distribution of True/False Film Fest and Ragtag Cinema marketing materials (this will include updating festival ads, developing weekly cinema materials, and special event materials)
- Manage media trade sponsorships and media ad schedules with other stakeholders
- Assemble content for organizational newsletters
- Work with Directors to support organizational press needs
- Collaborate and communicate with other designers during the festival season to produce festival materials such as passes, booklets, brochures/pamphlets, and festival merchandise;
- Coordinate social media during festival weekend, including scheduling & overseeing a small team of volunteers, and publishing social media
Required Skills:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills with an ability to manage multiple tasks
- Active interest in/knowledge about the film industry and organizational mission
- Marketing experience, including experience managing professional social media platforms and an aptitude for social media tone/voice
- Working experience with GSuite platforms, Zoom, Slack, and Airtable, and Constant Contact
- Working experience with InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- Adaptive design eye and skill with awareness of RFS brand and aesthetic
Compensation and Culture: This benefits-eligible position is a full-time equivalent, year-round, hourly employee, with a rate of $16/hour and 30 hours/week on average. Hours per week fluctuate seasonally around the Fest and Cinema events; some evening/weekend hours required. We offer flexibility in setting your schedule, paid time off, and a collaborative culture.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter telling us why you should be our Marketing and Design Content Coordinator, a resume with two references, and any supplemental details of related experience. Send materials to Marketing and Communications Director, Emily Edwards at: [email protected]. Applications will be accepted through October 15, but we’ll review applications on a rolling basis and a hiring decision may be made before that date.
SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR - TRUE/FALSE FILM FEST
Overview: Are you excited about selling something you care about? We are looking for a bright, talented salesperson to help cultivate and nurture the growing list of businesses that support True/False. If you have sales experience, or think you’ve got the right combination of personality and organizational skills to both negotiate and coordinate successful outcomes, this could be your opportunity to help promote T/F, build a strong business network, and work alongside a group of smart, energetic people.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and traits:
- Strong, natural sales ability;
- Superb interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to balance the needs of the festival and the requests of sponsors;
- Excellent attention to detail and flawless follow-through;
- Ability to thrive in a creative, entrepreneurial culture;
- Self-driven individual who wants to be part of a cultural arts organization that has a positive impact on the City of Columbia and the wider world of documentary filmmaking;
- One year of professional sales experience preferred, but not required;
- Prior experience with True/False or other festivals is a plus.
Specific duties include:
- Identify, research, and recruit cash and in-kind sponsors for True/False Film Fest, creating annual and perennial sponsorships that meet or exceed the organization’s financial goals;
- Ensure delivery of all contracted benefits across the organization, providing sponsors with proof of performance in a timely and professional manner, including uploading logos to website, creating social media posts/calendar, photo deliverables to sponsors (ROI reporting);
- Maintain excellent communication with sponsors before, during, and after activation;
- Input and maintain detailed sponsor information in the sponsorship database, including detailed invoice/payment information;
- Manage sponsor trade deliverables according to various needs; e.g. materials, food vouchers, swag, stage mentions, logo placement, etc.
- During the four days of the Fest, assist sponsors, attend events, and work to ensure all sponsorships are fulfilled;
- Follow up with sponsors after the Fest to receive feedback and express gratitude;
- Contribute to the overall success of RFS’ events and programs as needed.
Commitment & Compensation: This is a part-time, seasonal, independent contractor position that will require 15 hours (on average) per week from October 30 through March 22. Some evening and occasional weekend time is required during the height of the pre-festival season and during the Fest (festival runs Feb 29- March 3, 2024). We can offer a stipend of $5,000, a results-oriented work environment with a collaborative culture, and scheduling flexibility.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter telling us why you should be the T/F Sponsorship Coordinator along with your current resume and at least two references. Send all materials to [email protected]. The application deadline is October 6, but interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and a hiring decision may be made before the deadline.
BOX OFFICE MANAGER - TRUE/FALSE FILM FEST
Overview: Are you an outgoing, organized, problem-solver? Do you have customer service experience, either at a film festival or elsewhere? Do you have a keen eye for keeping track of details and enjoy organizing large amounts of data? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you might be the perfect T/F Box Office Manager!
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
- At least one year working for True/False or another festival;
- Extremely detail oriented;
- Strong customer service skills;
- Comfort & agility in troubleshooting issues via phone, email, or in person;
- Strong aptitude for web, database, and spreadsheet use – Agile Ticketing experience a plus;
- Point-of-sale experience;
- Confidence and discretion in handling and counting cash;
- Comfort with being on one’s feet for long hours during the festival;
- Comfort with physical set up of a temporary location: lifting/carrying up to 30lbs;
- Ability to direct others, lead a team of about 20 volunteers.
Duties & Responsibility:
- Fielding passholder correspondence via box office phone calls & email;
- Managing the ticketing database and tracking all festival passes and ticketing needs;
- Tracking inventory and ordering box office materials, coordinating box office printing needs;
- On call for live customer service during passholder ticket reservations (Feb 11 – 18);
- Working with the production team on the physical box office venue set-up;
- Managing an assistant manager, and recruiting and training box office volunteers to staff the box office;
- Managing box office venue during the festival;
- Daily financial and attendance reporting during the festival.
Commitment & Compensation: This is a part-time, seasonal independent contractor position that has a flat stipend of $3,000. The time commitment includes part time work and regular meetings between October and December; approx. 25hrs per week in January and early February; an intense workload from Feb 10 through the week of the festival (Feb 29-March 3, 2024), as well as some post-Fest wrap-up hours. Early PT work offers the opportunity to set your own schedule. Must reside in (or commute to) Columbia at minimum from January through mid-March, with some meetings and training sessions prior.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter telling us why you should be our Box Office Manager, a resume with two references, and any supplemental details of related experience. Send materials to Operations Director, Grace Piontek at: [email protected]. Application deadline is October 6, but interviews will be held on a rolling basis and a decision may be made prior to the deadline.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - RAGTAG FILM SOCIETY
Overview: The Ragtag & T/F crew is in search of a new development champion! We’re looking for an enthusiastic fundraiser with an appreciation of the organization’s vision to increase awareness of the mission locally, regionally, and nationally. This position’s primary objective is to identify, cultivate, and secure private, public, and foundation funding in support of RFS programming and operations.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
- 3+ years of experience working in fund development;
- Experience in a managerial role;
- Excellent, prompt communication;
- Excellent customer service skills;
- Self-directed with excellent time management skills;
- Logistically-minded with the capacity for strategic planning;
- Flexible with the ability to pivot and possessing a solution-oriented mindset.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
- Develop and implement annual development strategies;
- Secure annual and multi-year donations and grants;
- Ensure proper fulfillment of donor benefits across the organization;
- Guide membership program;
- Manage Development budget projections and tracking;
- Organize donor-targeted special events;
- Lead creation of development materials, including annual report, appeal letters, education brochures, and possible RFS membership information;
- Provide top-notch customer service to all donors during the week of the festival and throughout the year;
- Represent RFS at networking events as needed.
Compensation and Culture: This position is for a full-time, year-round employee, with an annual salary starting in the range of $46-48k, negotiable for the right candidate. We offer a results-oriented work environment, schedule flexibility, a generous paid time off policy, and a collaborative culture. The ideal candidate would reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Columbia, MO.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter telling us why you should be our Development Director, a resume with three references, and any supplemental details of related experience. Send materials to Executive Director, Arin Liberman at: [email protected]. Applications will be accepted through September 1, but interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and a hiring decision may be made before that date.