Film Programmer

About the Role

You will lead on researching, evaluating and recommending films; negotiating screening rights; shaping festival strands; ensuring a compelling, balanced programme across features, documentaries and shorts. You will nurture strong industry relationships, secure high-quality guests for Q&As and events and collaborate closely with marketing, communications and film commissioning colleagues. You must be curious, culturally sensitive, collaborative, diplomatic, detail driven, and passionate about Jewish life, film and audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and assess new and catalogue titles across global markets
• Negotiate and agree screening rights and manage all booking logistics, including legal compliance and contractual constraints
• Curate and schedule festival and tour programmes across multiple venues, adapting selection to local audience profiles and partner cinemas
• Identify, secure and brief guests for Q&As, panels and special events
• Write and edit synopses and editorial copy for brochures, website, press and marketing assets, ensuring metadata accuracy, consistency of tone and brand
• Build and maintain strong relationships with sales agents, distributors, filmmakers, producers, film funds, embassies, cultural institutes, venues, and peer festivals
• Proactively raise UKJF’s profile and identify collaborative opportunities
• Support marketing, audience development and fundraising initiatives
• Maintain full knowledge and understanding of UKJF’s film commissioning output and objectives, identify opportunities to showcase UKJF-commissioned content as ‘B Films’ before relevant features
• Ensure accessibility, compliance and accurate programme data.
• Contribute to post-event evaluation
• Work within agreed programming budgets and maintain clear and trackable administrative records of negotiations, confirmations and deliverables

About You

• Three years or more experience programming for a film festival, cinema or cultural organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Jewish culture, global Jewish filmmaking and related themes.
• Proven negotiation skills and established industry knowledge and relationships.
• Excellent editorial and copywriting ability.
• Confident public speaker with experience hosting Q&As or panels.
• Deep understanding of audience behaviour and programming strategy.
• Highly organised, calm under pressure and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion and culturally sensitive programming.
• Proficient with festival systems, scheduling tools and general office software.
• Flexible to work evenings/weekends during peak periods and travel across the UK.
• Experience working with PR/marketing teams.
• Ability to interpret audience data and insights.
• Strong industry networks.
• EDI &Accessibility Awareness.
• Experience integrating commissioned work into public programmes.
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends during peak periods and travel across the UK as required.

Eligibility

No specific degree required. Must have the right to work in the UK

To apply, please attach your CV and a Cover Letter in an email to[contact hidden]

Applications close 23rd January 2026

Interviews will take place the week commencing 26th January.

For more information or a full job description, please email us at the above address. If there are any access or support requirements you would like us to be aware of, please let us know along with your application. Any information given regarding personal access or support requirements will be used to inform what format we conduct the interview. All information will be kept confidential.