Screening Committee Member

The International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF), is the first and largest film festival focused on the ocean in the world.

As a year-round ocean conservation organization the IOFF produces a three day in person film and lecture event that promotes awareness around the health of our oceans, and call to actions to protect it. Film programs include award winning independent documentary films, on stage discussions with filmmakers and content experts, creating a unique public forum on the environmental, social, and cultural importance of the ocean's ecosystems, habitats and its resources.

The IOFF's mission includes four main education pillars.

• Global Online Student Ocean Film Program
• Free Student Ocean Film Field Trips
• International Traveling Program
• Annual Ocean Film Festival

IOFF will be celebrating its 23rd Annual Int'l Ocean Film Festival on April 10-12, 2026 at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco. Please visit our website for more information .

The International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) is the world’s premier international film festival of all things ocean celebrated annually in April in a three-day event, featuring on average of 35+ films. We are seeking two to three dynamic volunteers to join our Screening Committee, the esteemed group of people who assist in the selection and programming of films for our annual film festival.

Qualified candidates are those who love film and have some knowledge and understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking, and appreciation of the power of film to educate and motivate people to a deeper involvement in ocean conservation. They should have past working experience in the film industry or a marine related field, academic involvement, or a background in the marine sciences, water recreation, or other ways in which we interact with our Blue Planet.

Our film categories include ocean adventures and exploration, marine science, environment, conservation, innovation, wildlife, and ocean sports.

Each year the Screening Committee curates the official selections for the festival based on select criteria. These are shown at the film festival as well as throughout the year as part of our Special Screenings and/or our Traveling Program. As a Screening Committee member, you will preview film submissions and be a part of the screening process that determines which films will be featured at the 2026 IOFF.

The screening process runs from September 2025 to January 2026.

Submissions are viewed individually online and rankings are entered onto a shared document, then discussed in person as a group. During the festival season, the Committee meets monthly in person on Monday evenings from 6pm - 9pm at the IOFF offices in the Presidio, or other convenient location in San Francisco to discuss film submissions. Three additional programming meetings will take place in January of 2025.

A light dinner is provided at meetings.

Screening Committee members receive an All-Access Festival Pass (includes all films, side events during the film festival) and an Official 2026 IOFF T-Shirt, and a chance to participate in a fun engaging environment while protecting the ocean.

• Prior knowledge and understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking; filmmakers are welcome!
• Experience in a marine-related field, or a background in marine sciences, and familiarity with ocean issues is desirable
• A willingness and ability to analyze films critically and objectively with a diverse audience in mind (aware that genre, merit, and even content may extend outside of their own preferences, tastes, and/or beliefs).
• A commitment to watch each film assigned in its entirety.
• A commitment to meet deadlines for watching and rating films.
• An open-minded, generally positive approach to film and respect for the commitment, work, and vision of every filmmaker.
• A commitment of approximately 8 hours a week from September 2025 to January 2026 to watch the films independently or with your fellow Screening Committee members. This can vary significantly from week to week, since film lengths vary greatly, from short films (5 min. or less) to 1.5 hours.
• Prior attendance at, and familiarity with the IOFF is a plus.
• Applicants must reside in the Bay Area.

To be considered for the position, please send a cover letter, resume and/or Linked In profile to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and please add "SC Member Application" in the subject line.

Launched in 2004, the International Ocean Film Foundation is the leading Bay Area ocean destination event of the year and the premier global film festival with a focus on ocean inspired films. The IOFF is a year-round ocean conservation organization, with a flagship three-day film festival held annually in April and at various theaters throughout the Bay Area. The event features more than 50 independent films from around the world, visiting…