Assistant Programmer

Salary: £27,000 pro-rata

Bertha DocHouse, the UK’s first and only cinema dedicated to documentaries, is looking for an Assistant Programmer. 

• Part-time, 3 days per week
• Hybrid working with at least 1 day per week in Central London Office
• Includes some evening and weekend work

Bertha DocHouse is the UK’s first and only cinema dedicated to documentaries. Our programme is varied and vibrant, featuring the best international nonfiction across genres, subjects, themes and styles. Alongside our screenings we organise Q&As, panel discussions and masterclasses, and our website is a treasure trove of resources and inspiration for documentary makers and interested people around the world.

We are looking for an Assistant Programmer with a passion for the documentary form across all its genres. Working closely with and supporting our Director & Programmer, the Assistant Programmer’s role will be focused on programme research, viewing and reporting to the programmer, and contributing to programming discussions, with additional admin responsibilities.

We are looking for someone with a wide knowledge and appreciation of documentary film. The ideal candidate will be aware of documentaries on the festival circuit over the last few years and have a good idea of established and emerging nonfiction filmmakers.

They will be confident in writing internal viewing notes and writing copy to publicise film screenings. They will be comfortable liaising with all kinds of rights holders and negotiating screening terms. They will thrive in a small, busy team.

Personal Specification

• Minimum 1 year programming or film booking experience within a film festival, cinema or other exhibition background.
• Focus, knowledge and passion for documentary films.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Preferable: good experience of, and a flair for, film copywriting.
• Preferable: direct experience with exhibition outside the UK distribution framework – ie. international festivals and sales agents.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Researching new titles and screening opportunities, making first contact with filmmakers and rights holders where necessary.
• Viewing films and giving notes
• Liaising with distributors, sales agents and filmmakers through the process of booking films.
• Negotiating screening terms.
• Working with the Programmer to plan and schedule the cinema programme, and online screenings/events, contributing ideas for seasons and events.
• Programme administration – including preparing contracts.
• Maintaining databases of documentaries and tracking films.
• Writing film copy for use on our website, social media, and printed materials.
• Supporting the marketing team to promote films, by contributing ideas for outreach and strategy.
• Attending and running cinema events on evenings and weekends, alongside the rest of the team.
• Moderating Q&As and discussions.

Applications

Please send us your CV along with a cover letter which responds to the Person Specification, letting us know about your experience and why you would be suitable for this role at Bertha DocHouse.

Please send your application to info@dochouse.org with Assistant Programmer in the subject line.

The closing date for this position is 18/12/2022 at 23:59