Programmers

London Short Film Festival

London / Remote

Salary: £4,000

London Short Film Festival is recruiting for two freelance Programmers.

London Short Film Festival is recruiting for two freelance Programmers.

London Short Film Festival (LSFF) is a BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying showcase of independent, radical, and experimental filmmaking.

Now in its 24th year, LSFF remains a vital platform for emerging and established filmmakers, curators and artists, spotlighting exciting and original work across screen cultures.

The 2027 edition of the festival will take place 22 – 31 January 2027, with screenings and events hosted across a range of cinemas, venues and community centres throughout London.

Role summary

London Short Film Festival is looking for two Programmers to select work for the January 2027 Festival.

Programmers will work alongside the Artistic Director to select films from open submissions, alongside developing specially curated screenings and events. Each Programmer will focus on a defined area of expertise, for example genre, artists work, animation or documentary, contributing to joint curation of 30 programmes of New Shorts for the 2027 Festival.

Each Programmer will also pitch two Special Events within their area of expertise to be discussed with the Artistic Director. Special Events may be archival, retrospective, contemporary focus programmes or cross-arts events, and should sit within the artistic remit of the Festival. Selected Special Events would be curated, delivered and presented by the Programmer at the Festival.

Programmers will introduce screenings and host Q&As across all New Shorts and Special Events programmes at the Festival in person.

Role details

• Project fee: £4,000
• Term: Fixed-term May 2026 – February 2027 / Festival dates: 22 – 31 January 2027
• Hours of employment: Freelance contract. This role is deliverables-based with flexible working hours across the contract period. The Programmer is expected to complete all viewing, meetings and curatorial responsibilities within agreed deadlines
• Place of work: Remote, with required in person attendance in London at Programme Week (w/c 5 October 2026) and during the Festival (22 – 31 January 2027)
• Expenses: Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are not covered for Programme Week, Festival attendance or external events
• Reports to: Artistic Director.

Key responsibilities

• Watch a minimum of 200 short films from open submissions that have not yet been assessed by the viewing team, by end of June 2026
• Watch approximately 500 additional submissions requiring a second view, by end of September 2026
• Contribute to approximately 30 New Shorts programmes jointly with other Programmers and the Artistic Director
• Attend monthly programme meetings remotely or in-person to discuss the development of the New Shorts programmes
• Pitch x2 Special Events in area of expertise
• Fully curate and assist with delivery of your Special Event(s) if selected
• Oversight one sponsor or partner event
• Participate in regular Festival team meetings
• Attend Programme Week (w/c 5 October 2026) in person to finalise all New Shorts programmes
• Write clear, engaging and accurate programme copy for the Festival website, print materials and marketing communications
• Contribute ideas and contextual material to support marketing campaigns
• Proofread programme materials to ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency of tone
• Identify and draft appropriate content guidance for programmed films and events
• Provide clear and timely briefs for programmed events, including contextual information, technical requirements and other relevant details to support production and access planning
• Meet with attending filmmakers in person at the Festival
• Introduce screenings and host Q&As and other relevant events during the Festival, including cover where required
• Contribute to the Festival Evaluation Report and funding reports
• Participate in the Festival debrief process, contributing to feedback on programming, operations and audience engagement
• Produce a written Wrap Report following the Festival to support continuity of the programming role in future years
• Represent London Short Film Festival in an official capacity at external events and festivals, if fully funded by the inviting bodies
• Contribute to inclusive programming practice, ensuring consideration of representation, access and audience diversity across curated programmes
• Adhere to the Festival’s Code of Conduct and contribute to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for audiences, filmmakers and staff.

Experience & skills

• A minimum of three years of curatorial experience in film festivals or cinemas, or in moving image or related arts contexts
• Strong knowledge and passion for both UK and International short films
• Understanding of London Short Film Festival programme, ethos and curatorial approach
• Ability to identify work that contributes to a balanced programme that can challenge, entertain and educate audiences and reflects the Festival’s remit
• Ability to articulate clear curatorial rationale and contextualise work within wider cultural and historical frameworks
• Practical experience of using film festival submissions platforms such as Film Freeway and Filmchief
• Experience of collaborative programming and working as part of a team
• Strong awareness of audiences and viewing contexts, with the ability to shape programmes that respond to how and where audiences engage with short film
• Strong written English and experience writing editorial and programme copy, with careful attention to detail
• Ability to recognise sensitive content and apply appropriate audience guidance in line with Festival policy
• Effective time management and ability to meet multiple deadlines independently within a fixed project timeline
• Confident at public speaking for introducing programmes and hosting Q&As and experienced in handling sensitive or complex conversations with care
• Awareness of current developments in the screen industries, including exhibition, distribution and funding contexts
• A knowledge and passion of cinema and film history.

How to apply

Please e-mail info@shortfilms.org.uk with your CV and three examples of programmes you recently curated by Tuesday 21 April, 6pm.

Interviews will take place w/c 27 April.

LSFF strongly encourage applications from individuals from the Global Majority, people with disabilities, and people from working-class backgrounds, as these groups remain underrepresented within both the festival team and the wider sector.

#LI-DNI

The closing date for this position is 21/04/2026 at 18:00