New Orleans Film Society

2026 New Orleans Film Festival
Production Manager 

(Temporary / Independent Contractor) 

MISSION

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, nurturing, and amplifying the diverse voices of filmmakers. We aim to facilitate conversations through film and film-related programming that inspire, educate, challenge, and entertain our audiences. 

VALUES STATEMENT

• Start with the art and allow artistic vision, equity, and social impact to guide our search for resources.
• Champion filmmakers who have been historically denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry–– including Southern artists, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.
• Seek deep audience engagement.
• Build a working environment that is fair and fulfilling.
• Exhibit dedication and passion and believe that inspired and impactful programs arise from collaboration and mutual respect.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The New Orleans Film Society is seeking a Production Manager to lead the New Orleans Film Festival Production department and manage a dynamic team of Production staff. The Production Manager leads the planning, coordination, and execution of all event production operations, ensuring equipment, logistics, staffing, Festival Hub, and venue needs are successfully managed from pre-production through post-Festival wrap up. This role is responsible for developing efficient systems and workflows and plays a critical part in creating a seamless Festival experience by anticipating needs, solving problems, and managing complex logistics across all Festival activities. The Production Manager ensures all operations are executed safely and in compliance with accessibility standards and venue requirements.

The Production Manager reports directly to the Director of Operations, and actively collaborates with all Festival departments. 

TIMELINE FOR THE POSITION

August through October 

The schedule for this position is flexible as long as the Festival deadlines are met. We estimate this position will work in a part time capacity in pre-event weeks and increase gradually to a full time workload leading up to the event. 

Full availability is required during build, strike, and live event dates: October 15-30.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Pre-Production

• Lead all Festival production planning, including equipment, supplies, storage, transportation, staffing, and venue logistics.
• Develop and maintain production systems, workflows, and timelines to support efficient Festival operations.
• Create and manage a system for departments to submit and track production requests,  ensuring production needs are identified and addressed in advance.
• Collaborate effectively with staff using organizational tools and systems, including Airtable, Slack, and other designated platforms.
• Hire, train, supervise, and support production staff, including the Equipment Manager and other production team members as assigned.
• Prepare equipment and supply storage, organize inventory, and coordinate equipment dispatch, in collaboration with the Equipment Manager.
• Manage deliveries and logistics involving vendors, sponsors, rental companies, and festival partners.
• Ensure production plans, procedures, and documentation are complete and prepared for successful on-site execution.
• Support Festival accessibility initiatives and ensure compliance with safety regulations, venue policies, and ADA requirements.

Festival Execution

• Manage all day-to-day production operations during the Festival, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and safely.
• Oversee the build-out, operation, and strike of the Festival Hub, transforming an empty warehouse into a functional and welcoming festival headquarters that supports the Festival’s operational and programming needs.
• Oversee production flow between Festival storage facilities, the Festival Hub, and all other event venues.
• Coordinate the packing, delivery, installation, relocation, and return of equipment, supplies, signage, marketing materials, consumables, and technical gear.
• Coordinate vehicle scheduling, equipment dispatch and transportation logistics, in collaboration with the Equipment Manager.
• Provide regular operational updates to Festival staff and maintain effective communication across departments.
• Support Venue Managers, Tech staff, and Special Event staff as needed to ensure successful Festival operations.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with safety regulations, venue requirements and accessibility standards.

Post-Production

• Lead Festival load-out operations, including equipment recovery, inventory reconciliation, and storage organization.
• Coordinate the return of rental equipment and ensure all Festival assets are properly accounted for.
• Restore storage facilities, organizing in a way to ensure equipment, supplies, and materials are safely stored, clearly labeled, readily accessible, and efficiently arranged for year-round operations and future festival planning.
• Document production processes, outcomes, and recommendations to support future Festival planning.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE + QUALIFICATIONS

• Alignment to the organization’s stated mission and values.

• Minimum 3 years of in-person live events or film production experience 

• Excellent organization, planning, and productivity skills.
• High level of comfort handling pressure and deadline-driven environments. 
• Ability to work nights and weekends during scheduled festivals and events.  
• Ability to stand and move for prolonged hours during events and lift, carry, and load items of up to 40 lbs. 
• Possess a form of transportation to move easily and quickly between venues.
• Knowledge of New Orleans cultural landscape, event ecosystem, and local resources is strongly preferred.
• Self-starter with strong initiative, drive, sense of urgency & ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Have some technical knowledge of AV, sound, lighting, etc. 

COMPENSATION 

This is a contract position, with a total compensation amount of $7,700, to be paid in biweekly installments over the duration of the contract period.

This is a temporary independent contractor position and does not offer benefits. The earnings are subject to Self-Employment Tax and no deductions will be made from your checks. This job is not eligible for any cost reimbursements related to the contracted work. You will be issued an IRS Form 1099.  

LOCATION

New Orleans Film Society staff work on a hybrid schedule, with some time in the office and some working remotely. The individual filling this position needs to be New Orleans-based because they need to be on the ground during NOFF and any other pre-festival in-person events/training/site visits.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
New Orleans Film Society fosters a creative and professional environment that reflects the diversity of New Orleans. We actively recruit a wide pool of applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender, or political affiliation.