Frequently Asked Questions:

• Application Process
• Volunteer Hours and Benefits
• At the Festival
• Volunteer Housing

Application Process

I'd like to apply, will you consider my resume?
No, if you want to volunteer, you must fill out and submit a volunteer application online. Volunteers are only considered based on the information they provide in the online application and any information on their volunteering in previous years.

I'm having problems submitting my online application. What do I do?
Call or email us. We strongly prefer applications be submitted online, but if special circumstances require, we do have paper and a printer and mail. We can actually send it to you. We're pretty nice around here.

What if I'm not 21?
This is a hard and fast policy we cannot work around, you really must be 21 as of January 12, 2009 to volunteer for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Even if you're really mature for your age, it's just not going to cut it. We will verify your ID before you can check-in.

What if I'm from a land far, far, away?
We welcome a diverse group of volunteers from anywhere. You will be considered in the application process just as any other volunteer and notified within the same time frames. The details of your passport, travel, etc. will be entirely your responsibility.

I've volunteered before for the Sundance Film Festival, what do I do to apply?
If you've volunteered in the past, we consider you an Alumni Volunteer. Alumni Volunteers are ONLY to apply based on a personal email sent to them from the volunteer department which should have been sent to the volunteer by August 15, 2008. If you did not receive an email there could be a number of reasons. Above all, DON'T just fill out and submit an application for new volunteers. Too much time could have passed since you last volunteered, our database could have made an error, the internet could have made an error, or we, real people, could also be imperfect. Also, each Festival, we review evaluations and information on a volunteer's overall performance, and sadly, despite many well- (and some not-so-well) intentioned volunteers, some people just aren't a fit for the Festival. No matter what the reason for your missing Alumni Application, you have to contact us to let us know you didn't get an application. Please send us an email: volunteers@sundance.org.

When will I hear about my application?
We process applications starting in August all the way through December. We fill open positions starting with qualified alumni volunteers, then new volunteers and will inform volunteers of their status throughout the process. We especially understand your need to make travel arrangements, and our need to make the Festival happen. So we'll definitely get you assigned as fast as we can. We will work diligently to inform Full-time Volunteers no later than November, and Sign-up Volunteers no later than mid-December. All volunteers will be notified of their status by December 30, 2008.

Hours and Volunteer Benefits

If I am I local volunteer, can I work all of my required hours before the Festival?
First off, see the details on this in the How To Volunteer section under Extra-Fest . We love all the help our local volunteers can provide pre-Festival. You must work at least 24 hours during the 10 days of the Festival to be eligible to receive any volunteer incentives, such as vouchers. Any hours worked between November 1 through the end of the Festival will earn you volunteer vouchers.

How do I use my credential to get into screenings?
A volunteer photo credential (for volunteers giving 80 hours) provides entry to Festival screenings and panels on a volunteer space-available basis.

Your volunteer vouchers, presented with a volunteer name credential and matching ID, are redeemable for tickets to Festival screenings and panels on a space-available basis.

Volunteer vouchers are based on the number of volunteer hours worked. 4 hours = 1 voucher. 1 voucher = 1 ticket.
A limited number of screening tickets are held at certain theatre box offices for staff/volunteers and are available one hour prior to screening time. If those tickets have all been distributed, you may join the waitlist and use your credential and voucher for admittance. Waitlist patrons are admitted to the theatre on a space-available basis 15 minutes before the screening begins.

Staff and volunteers will be admitted on a space available basis to the Staff and Volunteer Screenings.

Will I be able to change my shift times / What if I can't drive when it's snowing?
Full-time volunteers agree to be available as assigned by Sundance Film Festival. Sign-up volunteers are able to sign-up for available shifts in advance of the Festival. From there, in the mind of the Volunteer Department, you are committed to fulfilling your shifts. There are systems in place, however, to change your shift times which will be detailed at the volunteer orientation and in the volunteer handbook. When committing to shifts you should also be sure to take into account travel times and your ability to travel in inclement weather. The Sundance Film Festival is in January, so if you are going to volunteer, you should be comfortable commuting on a snowy day from your home to the location of your volunteer activity. It's pretty likely there will be some snowy days. As always, change and flexibility are large components of a successful Festival, so we are happy to work with you as situations arise - just contact us! (Advance notice is also always nice!)

What if I change my mind?
Once accepted, volunteers will sign an agreement committing to the volunteer position they have been offered. If you are signing and committing to the volunteer agreement, you should have no reason that you know of that you cannot volunteer. However, change has been known to happen, agreements will outline a final date for cancellation, which needs to be honored if we are possibly going to be able to fill the position again. Of course, extreme circumstances may negate following the deadline. In such extreme cases, please, please contact the Volunteer Department as soon as possible to discuss your situation with a staff member.

At the Festival

Can I take a friend to the screenings?
The easy answer is to get your friend to volunteer! Benefits, such as volunteer vouchers and credentials, are provided to allow Festival volunteers access to films. We work to reserve tickets specifically for volunteers, and wouldn't want a volunteer to be turned away because too many volunteers brought their friends. Volunteer film access is meant to be a benefit specifically for volunteer use. That said, volunteers can have their friends purchase tickets either from the box office or at the waitlist line and plan to meet-up with each other. We'd love to be more helpful so you can go with friends to films, but the challenges of available volunteer seating, timing volunteer ticketing with waitlist ticketing, and scalping have made it too difficult to do so. We are able to provide some vouchers to volunteers for guests to use to eliminate the cost of a waitlist ticket. Guest vouchers will only be provided to volunteers upon their completion of 40 volunteer hours, and Full-time volunteers for whom the Festival is not providing lodging.

How do I get into parties?
Volunteers will receive a ticket to the Staff and Volunteer Opening Night Party. Everyone is encouraged to attend!

Full-time volunteers will receive a ticket to the Awards Night Celebration.

Anyone attending an official party must have a hard ticket and their credential for admittance.

How do I get into the Music Café?
Your volunteer credential allows you access to all of the non-theatre venues on a space-available basis. This includes the Music Café, New Frontier on Main, Sundance House, and Filmmaker Lodge. You may be asked to observe the "Family Holds Back" rule for high profile performances or panels, waiting until 15 minutes prior to the start of the event before being admitted. In these cases, staff and volunteers may not be admitted if the event is full.

What about food?
Every morning bagels are available at all official venues and theatres (delivered daily) for volunteers. You are on your own for all other meals. You can also stop by the Volunteer Villa for a quality snack and a daily fix of the fantastic Volunteer Department Staff.

Volunteer Housing

Does the Sundance Film Festival Provide Lodging for Volunteers?
Housing is only provided for select pre-committed Full-time volunteers who reside outside of the Park City and Salt Lake City areas. Housing for volunteers is extremely limited and provided primarily to returning Alumni Volunteers. It is highly unlikely that lodging will be available for new volunteers, and a volunteer's ability to provide lodging for themselves is sometimes influential in the volunteer selection process. Volunteers who are not in housing provided by Sundance Film Festival are responsible for getting to their volunteer shifts on time, knowing that the Sundance Film Festival occurs during very snowy months in January, even if you're driving from... we know, we have to get here, too.

Where will I be staying?
If you are one of the lucky volunteers to be lodged at the Festival, you will not know where you are staying until you arrive in Park City to check in. We assign lodging based on the volunteer's job location, duties, and seniority. See below about roommate requests.

What do I need to bring to Park City?
All volunteer accommodations are equipped with bedding, towels, TV, and a phone. We cannot guarantee alarm clocks, so be sure to set your watch or bring your own.

Will my condo have a kitchen?
We do our best to secure accommodations with amenities such as kitchens and even washers and dryers, but there are no guarantees. Many facilities come without these extras, so be prepared to accept whatever is available. We'll do what we can to make sure you're comfortable. And there's one thing we can guarantee: your front door will have a lock.

Who are my roommates?
You may request one roommate on your volunteer agreement. The person that you request, MUST request YOU on their agreement for your names to be produced on the "requested roommate list" from our database. If you request more than one person or the person you request does not request you on their form, your roommate request cannot be considered. We cannot guarantee that roommate requests can always be met. If your assigned lodging dates are not the same as your roommate, you will most likely not be housed together - remember that the dates volunteers are in Park City differ from theatres to department to non-theatre venues and dictate whom they room with.

You will not know who your roommates are until volunteer check-in. After you have checked in, please do not ask to be moved. We lodge more than 400 people during the Festival and once everyone has been slotted, we can only adjust accommodation assignments in emergencies. We try our best to accommodate everyone's requests.

How come she's in the master bedroom?
All accommodations, along with other Festival benefits, are assigned based on job responsibility and seniority.

What about my Chihuahua/girlfriend/baby?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in any Festival accommodations. If you need a referral to pet boarding in close proximity to the Festival, please contact our office. Also, please remember that guests are not allowed to stay in Festival accommodations. This rule is strictly enforced to be fair to everyone in your condo. Unless your significant other or baby is over 21 and a Full-time volunteer during the Festival, they need to stay home.

If we find that you have guests, even if they are other volunteers, that have not been assigned to your lodging unit staying with you, the guest and you will be asked to leave your lodging and the Festival immediately. You will also giving up any opportunity to volunteer for Sundance in the future.

Will my condo have parking?
We are generally able to obtain a very limited number of parking permits for all accommodation facilities. If you do bring your own car, we recommend that you do not drive to theatres and venues for screenings and parties. The Festival operates an efficient shuttle system that stops at all theatres and venues, arriving at designated stops around town every 10 to 15 minutes!

How do I get to work in the morning?
We try to lodge volunteers as close to their venue as possible, so walking will probably be your best option. If you are lodged further than walking distance, all of the lodging properties are on the Festival shuttle route. Please do not drive your vehicle to your venue unless you have received a parking pass, or your car will most likely be towed.

Why isn't my place being cleaned? And other housekeeping issues!
All Festival accommodations should be cleaned while you are staying there. The frequency depends on the company that rents the unit. The accommodations information sheet you receive at check-in will state the housekeeping frequency. If you feel that you have been skipped for cleaning, please let our office know ASAP and we will contact the company for you.

What if someone tries to reach me at my condo?
We do not give out accommodations information about anyone staying with us at the Festival. If someone asks for the location or phone number where you are staying, we either refer that person to you during work hours or get a message to you. Your managers are given a list of all of the locations and phone numbers for their volunteers.

What do I do if I have an emergency at my condo?
All of the accommodations have a number listed in the unit for maintenance emergencies (e.g., floods, heat not working). If something breaks or damage is done to your condo (accidents happen), please let us know so WE can fix it and work everything out with the company before we leave Park City.

Please remember to immediately report any problems at your lodging (e.g., bad beds, problematic heater). We will try to solve them ASAP. This also helps us know what units to book in the future.

How do I get to Festival Headquarters in Park City from the Salt Lake City Airport?
Stay tuned for a link to directions on our website!

What time should I arrive on my scheduled arrival date?
Check in is open from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Festival Headquarters. If you are being lodged by the Festival, you will not be able to check into your lodging until after 3:00 p.m. If you arrive before then, please plan on hanging out for a few hours until lodging keys can be distributed.