Doclands Film Festival Line Manager

2026 Doclands Film Festival Festival Line Manager

Location: San Rafael, CA (15 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge)

Status: Season with potential continuation after festival

Dates: April 30, 2026 - May 3, 2026

Compensation: $22/hour

CAFILM supports its mission to celebrate film as art and education by presenting the annual Mill Valley Film Festival and Doc Lands Documentary Film Festival, exhibiting film year-round at the non‑profit Christopher

B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, CA and Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley, CA, and building the next generation of filmmakers and film lovers through CAFILM Education. Founded in 1978, the Mill Valley Film Festival is a world‑renowned 11‑day event held every October, screening over 200 innovative US and international films for over 60,000 attendees. Both Doclands and MVFF have stellar reputations as a filmmakers’ festival with a high‑profile, prestigious, non‑competitive environment celebrating the best in independent and world cinema in gorgeous Northern California.

Line Managers are the first face a staff person or guest of the festival encounters when they arrive on site. This person has a strong grasp of all Doclands procedures and has a calm, customer‑oriented demeanor. Patrons will look to this person for regular updates about entrance into the venue and show updates, thus the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and personably to large crowds is essential.

Line Managers work with the onsite TOPs and Box Office staff to ensure safe, orderly, and friendly theater operations and timely screening starts. They report to the Operations Manager and work within the Operations Department.

• Work directly with the public (and other Doclands staff), filmmakers, and sponsors.
• Prepare the venue at the start of day, staging stanchions, line signs, etc.
• Check in with the Venue Manager to get radio, review tech sheets, dailies, and show flows. Consult Box Office regarding ticket sales and shows on RUSH, to prepare for the day ahead.
• Review tech sheets and check‑in with Theater Operations Manager for any updates or changes that have occurred.
• Check the schedule for the day comparing start and end times and preparing for tight turns around.
• Communicate with the House Manager before opening doors to the public.
• Maintain smooth and efficient patron traffic flow while coordinating show entries and egresses with other managers via radio.
• Ensure all related ADA access laws are met with sidewalks and other related spaces at venues.
• Assist with hot/cold weather protective measures, if needed.
• Communicate any accidents or patron issues, if any, to Theater Operations Manager/Venue Manager and provide written incident reports.
• Manage and monitor reserved parking spaces in front of theaters as needed.
• Ensure every patron is at the right film, at the right place, at the right time, with the right ticket or badge.
• Manage RUSH lines as it pertains to ticket sales and seating.
• Remind people in the RUSH line of the location of the remaining seats and that there is a NO REFUNDS policy.
• Communicate film screening updates and changes to staff and public as needed.
• Follow end‑of‑day procedures and venue clean‑up.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Superb organizational and communication skills.
• Detailed, disciplined, and thorough. A professional demeanor and a great attitude.
• Grace under pressure; can‑do attitude.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills.
• Proven skill with driving deadlines.
• Excellent customer service and public interaction skills.
• 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 own a smart‑phone.
• Must have open availability for the duration of the contract and be prepared for long hours and late nights.

• Your resume including two references.
• A short cover letter (about 100 words), describing
  • Your interest in working for Doclands Film Festival.

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