Join Samizdat 2026 as our technical Coordinator!

Are you a tech whiz passionate about cinema from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus? Would you like to join the Samizdat team to deliver our 5th festival? We're looking for a Technical Coordinator to manage the technical delivery of the 2026 festival programme!

Details

Freelance contract
Start date: 24 August, 2026
Festival dates: 6 October–7 November, 2026 (availability in Glasgow essential for 7–11 October)
Application deadline: 14 August, 2026

What’s expected of you

• Coordinate the collection and delivery of screening files with distributors, filmmakers and curators

• Receive, check and prepare DCP and digital screening files, converting formats where necessary and ensuring all materials are ready for projection

• With the support of the Festival Manager, commission and coordinate descriptive subtitles and other accessibility-related technical requirements

• Create screening playlists and ingest content onto projection systems

• Liaise with venue technicians, projectionists and festival team to coordinate technical requirements

• Test films before screenings, checking image, sound, subtitles and playback quality

• Maintain accurate records of screening materials, deliveries and technical requirements across all festival venues

• Prepare screening support materials, including trailer reels and holding slides

• Provide projection and technical support for screenings, online Q&As, and other events at the Pyramid at Anderston, troubleshooting technical issues and ensuring smooth delivery throughout the festival

About you…

• Experience working with DCPs and other digital cinema formats, including preparing, checking and converting files where required

• Understanding of the technical processes involved in preparing films for cinema exhibition, including DCP handling, file conversion and playback

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple screening assets, deadlines and technical requirements simultaneously

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly when checking film files, subtitles and technical specifications

• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues efficiently under time pressure

• Confident communicator, ideally with experience liaising with filmmakers, distributors, venues and technical staff

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a small festival team

• Experience coordinating accessibility materials, such as descriptive subtitles

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends during the festival

• Interest in independent and international cinema

How to Apply

We are a small and young organisation, and have all been learning together how to bring the best possible event to our audiences. We know that people underrepresented in film exhibition roles may be less likely to apply because they can't tick all of the above boxes – please don't let this discourage you; still get in touch!

Please note, you will be expected to provide your own suitable laptop and any necessary software for technical preparation work, including handling and converting digital cinema files.

To apply, please send an up-to-date CV and cover letter to our Festival Manager, Dylan, at dylan@samizdatfest.co.uk by the end of the day (23:59) on 14 August, 2026. If you'd like an informal chat with us first, or would like to apply in alternative formats, such as audio, please get in touch at hello@samizdatfest.co.uk.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!