VOLUNTEER

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the 2026 Cans Film Festival! Volunteers are a crucial component to our success. Volunteers are the face of the festival and will often be the first (and sometimes, only) person to interact with film-goers, supporters and patrons. Outlines below are volunteer role descriptions and other FAQ details.

Sign up for Volunteer Roles here
Men and women exchanging a red gift bag at an indoor event.
A group of people gathered indoors, with some seated and others standing, engaged in conversation. The setting appears to be a casual or professional environment, with various equipment and lighting set up in the background.
Group of people gathered at a film festival event, standing near a black backdrop with 'CANS Film Festival' printed on it, inside a large industrial-style building with exposed ceiling and fluorescent lighting.
A group of five people gathered around a table with a laptop, engaged in an activity; three are leaning forward, and one is standing wearing glasses and a beige hat, in a room with green and yellow walls and a doorway in the background.

What kind of work is available during the festival?

Check-In: Volunteers will check-in attendees and filmmakers, greet patrons, and answer questions about the schedule, festival and merchandise.

Setup & Teardown Champions: Volunteers will help with the setup and the cleanup of venues, getting them ready for the next event. This involves a range of duties including carrying boxes, tidying up tables and chairs, etc. Some of these shifts may be later in the evenings.

Recyclers: Volunteers will take the collected cans and bottles to recycle them for their deposits.

If you have other ideas on how you would like to contribute to the success of the Cans Film Festival, please reach out to us!

  • If you’d like to volunteer at the Cans Film Festival, you can sign up here.

  • Absolutely! Let’s chat more. Contact us here to start the conversation.

  • In addition to our gratitude, you’ll get some cool festival perks such as:

    • All-Access — good for entry at all festival events

    • T-Shirt and Swag

    • Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages during your shift

  • Yes, you must be 16 years of age or older to volunteer. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and job options may be limited.

  • You may bring your own water or non-alcoholic beverages with you. If you sign up for a longer shift, consider bringing food with you. We cannot guarantee a secure area for you to store personal belongings, so do not bring any valuables or large/bulky items.

    You should plan to bring only what you can fit in your pockets or a small bag. Cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off or silenced during film screenings.