Assistant, Catalyst Forum

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Catalyst is Sundance Institute’s film financing program. We train both investors and filmmakers in the art of building successful business relationships and curate slates of exceptional independent film projects seeking funds. Our signature event Catalyst Forum connects filmmakers and funders through presentations, individual meetings, programming, and informal social moments.

The Catalyst Forum Assistant will support the Catalyst team throughout the Forum preparations period and beyond. This role will be essential in coordinating the filmmaker lab leading up to the Forum, supporting our work with program advisors and guest speakers, assisting in the creation of key materials such as our lab book, and in supporting event logistics and onsite execution.

Working under the direction of Catalyst Manager, the Catalyst Forum Assistant is a two-month seasonal role that works part-time (20 hours per week) from Monday, February 10, 2025 through Friday, March 7, 2025; and full-time (40 hours per week) from Monday, March 10, 2025 until Monday, April 7, 2025. This position may work remotely from a state of operation until the team comes together in person to support onsite at the Catalyst Forum from Monday, March 31 through Sunday, April 5, 2025. Occasional extended hours, including evenings and weekends, will also be required.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…
• Developing and maintaining the schedule for our weekly work with 10 film teams and their advisors.
• Tracking the weekly delivery and dissemination of film project materials in an urgent and timely manner.
• Supporting email communications and travel coordination for Forum filmmakers, advisors, and industry guests and collecting and filing key paperwork around their program participation (such as honorarium letters).
• Supporting operational planning and production of Catalyst Forum presentations, panels, and events.
• Working with the Coordinator to ensure the programmatic elements of the event run smoothly, remaining well-versed in the minute-by-minute Run of Show breakdown for the entire event.
• Working with the Catalyst Coordinator to manage all digital and paper assets for the event—including filmmaker presentations, remarks, forms, checklists, etc.—staying on top of version control and working with Tech to ensure smooth delivery.
• Assisting the Coordinator in the creation of the Catalyst Forum Lab Book, organizing the image and text assets that will ultimately yield a 40-page digital publication.
• Supporting the Coordinator in the development and maintenance of a Forum webpage by collecting materials such as user lists, project decks, presentation recordings, and more.
• Compiling and creating Catalyst Forum materials such as the Forum schedule, panelist and speaker bios, participant directory, and event one-sheets.
• Partnering with the Catalyst Team in the use of the program’s software FestiCine to prepare for and schedule dozens of on site investor-filmmaker meetings.
• Providing logistical support onsite throughout Catalyst Forum, including materials printing, guest check in, event time-keeping, company moves, stage management, meeting coordination, and more.
• Supporting email communications to program participants and helping to manage the general Catalyst inbox.
• Scheduling filmmaker follow-up calls with fellows after Catalyst Forum.
• Updating Catalyst files and tracking databases, including constituent contact details, investor commitments, and other records related to Catalyst-supported filmmakers and investors.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• 1 year of administrative work experience, preferably in the arts or entertainment.
• Passion for the Sundance Institute mission.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills, and the ability to track small details.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent discretion and the ability to maintain confidential information.
• Fluency in Google Applications (Google Drive, Google Sheets/Excel), and experience in Airtable is preferred.
• Experience working in event or film production preferred.
• Interest in independent film or film finance a plus.

You will be successful in this role if you…
• Appreciate how important small details are in producing quality work.
• Stay on top of deadlines and scheduling for our team across multiple program activities.
• Exhibit a willingness to learn and stay flexible and positive amid shifting priorities.
• Smoothly coordinate and effectively organize a wide array of assets.
• Deliver proof-read, formatted, and version-controlled materials.
• Track logistics and thrive in an event production environment.
• Work collaboratively and enjoy problem-solving as a team.
• Act as a resource for our filmmaker, investor, and industry community.

In addition to an hourly pay of $17.28, this position is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:
• Paid sick leave and Institute holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Employee Wellness Initiatives
• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-royj06-3-145-180-152-42 in your application.