Film Festival Programmer Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Film Festival Programmer do?
Film Festival Programmers select the feature length films and/or short films that will play at a festival. They select and organize the lineup. Some of the featured films are independent and in need of a distribution deal, while others may already have distribution in place and her in need of building buzz.
How much does this a Film Festival Programmer make?
According to Glassdoor Film Festival Programmers make a national average of $63,650 per year (as of June 2023). In general, entry-level programmers make around $39,000 annually, with senior-level programmers making $115,000 a year. This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the film industry?
Festivals are important platforms for marketing and promoting movies. All filmmakers need to create awareness and visibility around their projects. Marketing campaigns and public relations are expensive and may not be as accessible to independent filmmakers. Film Programmers help filmmakers and artists get their work to an audience at an inexpensive cost.
What is the job outlook for this career?
Film revenue is forecasted to grow to $392.34 billion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the field (including Film Festival Programmer) are expected to increase at a rate of 24% this decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Film festival range in size and take place nationwide — volunteer at a local one.
- Do an internship in the film and media department at museum.
- Explore the NYU x Rolling Stone x IndieWire Film + TV Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Film Career Guide.
Learn from:
Judd Apatow
Film & TV Industry Essentials contributor, Screenwriter, Director, Producer
Screenwriting Credits: This Is 40, Funny People, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Knocked Up, The 40-year-old Virgin
Related Careers:
Distribution Executive | Sales Agent | Social Marketing Coordinator | Publicity Director | Film Publicist | Marketing Director | Marketing Assistant | Communications Director | Publicity Assistant | Communications Coordinator
