The Film Coordinator plays a key role in the planning, execution, and technical management of SAM’s year-round film exhibition program. This position oversees technical rehearsals, coordinates film and digital media logistics, manages guest artist support, and ensures the highest quality presentation of films in both the Downtown and Asian Art Museum locations.
Reporting to the Chief of Creative Strategy and Storytellling, the Film Coordinator also serves as a primary point of contact for logistics for projectionists, A/V staff, curators, and external partners, troubleshooting technical issues, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating complex shipping and archival processes.
This role requires a combination of technical expertise, organizational skill, and interpersonal dexterity, with the ability to manage multiple projects, maintain attention to detail, and provide a professional experience for all audiences.
- Manages all technical rehearsals and public programs
- Serves as Program Manager for film events
- Convenes technical production meetings with curators and A/V staff; prepares and distributes technical documentation for each program season
- Schedules all rehearsals and ensures accurate and current technical information is shared internally and with external partners
- Works with AV team often, ensures optimal sound and image quality in screenings; communicates adjustments to projection staff
- Resolves technical issues with digital formats, DCPs, or archival prints by liaising with distributors or securing alternate materials
- Examines incoming film materials for print condition, format, and discrepancies; requests and tracks full inspections by projectionists
- Oversees special technical projects, including electronic titling and translations
- Provides occasional film introductions in the absence of guests/leads/curators
- Knowledge of film exhibition formats and/or experience handling film; and a strong understanding of the technical presentation standards of cinema
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills; able to work effectively with curators, filmmakers, and other guest presenters
- Ability to establish and achieve goals
- Demonstrated extreme accuracy and attention to detail
- Strong and effective writing skills needed to prepare a variety of correspondence, reporting, and other documents
- Ability to deal with multiple demands in high-pressure, public presentation situations, thinking quickly and effectively to problem solve and create and implement solutions
- Working knowledge of exhibition practice, customer and client relations, and event management
- Ability to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities
- Leadership abilities and able to inspire Work Study students through training and effective management oversight
- Proficient computer skills, including facility with using Word, Excel, and FileMaker Pro
- Initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 65 lb
- Technical understanding of film exhibition formats
- Applicants for this position are expected to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned
- Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites.
- Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area.
- Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
- Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
- Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens.
- The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
- Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
As a non-exempt employee at SAM, you will be eligible for paid sick time accrued at a rate of 0.0385 per hour worked, and fringe benefits including access to fitness facility, access to our Employee Assistance Fund (EAP), Tier III AAM membership, discounts for SAM Shop, and MARKET, access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM, and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.
Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program. Historically, this contribution has been made annually. Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, paid sick and safe time, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card.
SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic
Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!Skills Required
- Knowledge of film exhibition formats and/or experience handling film, with a strong understanding of cinema technical presentation standards
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills, including the ability to work effectively with curators, filmmakers, and guest presenters
- Ability to establish and achieve goals
- Extreme accuracy and attention to detail
- Strong writing skills for correspondence, reports, and other documents
- Ability to manage multiple demands in high-pressure public presentation situations and solve problems effectively
- Working knowledge of exhibition practice, customer and client relations, and event management
- Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and prioritize workload
- Leadership ability to train and manage Work Study students
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and FileMaker Pro
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to lift and carry up to 65 pounds
- Technical understanding of film exhibition formats
- Possession of the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to performing the assigned duties
What We Do
For over 90 years, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) has been a leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest. Through its three locations — the Seattle Art Museum in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the downtown waterfront — SAM connects art to life through special exhibitions, educational programs, and installations drawn from its collection of approximately 25,000 objects from more than 140 cultures. SAM Social Media Policy: bit.ly/SAMSocialMediaPolicy.
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