2026 MVFF Development Associate

2026 Mill Valley Film Festival Development Associate Location: San Rafael, CA (15 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge) Status: Seasonal - hybrid Dates: August 10 - Oct 16, 2026 (10 weeks) Salary: $10,000 ($25.00/hour) About Mill Valley Film Festival Founded in 1978, the Mill Valley Film Festival is a world-renowned 11-day event held every October, screening over 150 innovative US and international films for over 40,000 attendees. MVFF has a stellar reputation as a filmmakers' festival with a high-profile, prestigious, non-competitive environment celebrating the best in independent and world cinema in gorgeous Northern California.

About the Job The Development Associate will work on in-kind sponsor partnerships and to coordinate the implementation of many of the sponsor activations at festival venues and events.

The Development
Associate is a direct liaison between Development and the various CAFILM departments (Operations, Marketing, Programming, and Events), reports to the Associate Director of Institutional Giving, and works within the Development Department.

Responsibilities Securing lounge and event sponsors, including working with the Associate Director of Institutional Giving on sending & creating agreements. Securing VIP gift bag items in coordination with the Associate Director of Institutional Giving. Coordinate VIP gift bag stuffing and distribution with the MVFF Operations team. Assist the Associate Director of Institutional Giving to get signatures on outstanding LOAs for In-Kind & Events sponsors.

Cross
Checking with MVFF Marketing team on new/updated logos & on-screen ads for what is outstanding.

Cross Checking
Sponsorship database - overarching project to ensure all data is accurate: ticket numbers for all big nights; logo vs. line recognition; on screen ads; contact info cross checking.

Cross
Checking MVFF Eblast and MVFF Ad sponsor logo rotations. Assist in proofing websites, slideshows and ads.

Cross
Checking & Sending Sponsor Membership Comp List to CAFILM Membership team. Assist the Associate Director of Institutional Giving in sending ticket voucher codes to all sponsors, along with approved instructions on ticketing for this year from Ops/Box Office. Assist the Associate Director of Institutional Giving in sending customized Ticket Packages to select Sponsors, with Sponsored film, & Opening/Closing via email.

Ensuring that all documents go on the CAFILM server properly. Assisting with on-site sponsor Activations, including in-theater, lounge, and events. Assisting with sponsor greeting & seating at film premieres and events, including watching sponsor reserved seats.

Support reserved seating at all venues. Provide responsive customer service for sponsors, donors and special guests in person, phone and email. Process ticket requests for sponsors, donors and special guests in internal ticket request form (ITRF).

Coordinate any mailings for the Development department. Collaborate with other departments for on-site signage and event needs. Support special events (invitations, rsvp's, guest lists, etc). Keep sponsors and donors abreast of timely renewal information and festival updates.

Any additional administrative tasks, as required. Create a wonderful MVFF experience for the sponsors and donors. Assisting sponsors with any ticket questions, fulfillment, reserved seating, and helping with solutions.

Assist with striking and wrapping sponsor activations during & post-festival. Assisting with sponsor 'Thank Yous' & wrap post-festival. Assist with administration of post-event sponsor survey. Collaborate with the team and assist with other Development Department requests, as needed.

Being really awesome to work with :) Our ideal candidate has: Project management experience. Superb organizational, communication, and administrative skills. Detailed, disciplined, and thorough. You have a professional appearance and demeanor with a great attitude.

The ability to maintain graceful and positive communications under pressure. Strong computer skills, with thorough knowledge of Excel, Word, FileMaker Pro, Google Apps, Airtable, Slack, Raiser's Edge. Strong managerial and leadership skills.

Proven skill with driving deadlines. Excellent customer service, and public interaction skills. Ability to work within a budget prioritizing expenditures. Ability to manage time effectively and bring projects to completion despite conflicting deadlines.

Calm under pressure, managing multiple tasks with competing deadlines. Thrives working independently and on a team. Must have own transportation, own smart-phone, able to work nights and weekends as Necessary.

To apply, please submit: Your resume including two references. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment: We strive for a culture where people sense like they are valued, can bring their whole selves to work free of oppression, injustice, harassment or discrimination, and that they experience belongingness through a common purpose. We are taking steps to ensure that the California Film Institute is a safe and equitable space for staff members, filmmakers and audiences alike by incorporating inclusivity, diversity and accessibility measures into our business plan and tangible KPIs to hold ourselves accountable to serve and engage diverse audiences through our work.

We are also working to examine racial justice internally in order to drive self-discovery and best inform how we can change practices and utilize our voice and position within the Community.

California Film
Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our policies prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.