Sign up as a volunteer

Join the team that makes the festival possible.

Apply as a volunteer

The 33rd Astra Film Festival takes place 17–25 October 2026, in Sibiu. Volunteers are the people who hold it up.

They welcome the audience, keep screenings running to time and handle everything that never shows from the seats.

You work beside the team that runs the festival, see it from the inside, and leave knowing people you would never have met otherwise. We value diversity, freedom of expression and open dialogue.

What we offer

  • Practical experience at an international cultural event
  • Official AFF T-shirt and badge
  • Access to screenings and special events, subject to availability
  • Travel reimbursement, where applicable
  • Events dedicated to volunteers, and the volunteers' party

Choose your team

Each department has its own schedule and its own requirements. Open the one that fits you.

Astra Film Junior

You make the Astra Film experience possible for our youngest audience, at the screenings and activities for children and teenagers.

What you will do

  • Manage audience access and check tickets
  • Seat the audience and keep order in the hall
  • Work with the venue manager to keep screenings running
  • Guide school groups and create a friendly, safe environment
  • Support the educational activities for children and young people

Schedule

Morning shift: 7:30 – 15:00, Monday to Sunday, dedicated to Astra Film Junior screenings.

Requirements

  • You communicate well, especially with children
  • You work well in a team
  • You pay attention to detail and adapt quickly
  • You have patience and empathy
Volunteers at Astra Film Junior screenings
Info Point

You are the person people come to for information. At the Info Point the audience finds everything about the programme, venues and facilities — and you are their guide.

What you will do

  • Give information about the programme and festival events
  • Point people towards venues and facilities
  • Hand out maps, programmes and updated schedules
  • Keep promotional materials stocked at key points
  • Collect feedback and questions and pass them to the team
  • Support the box office with ticket sales and access

Schedule

Friday 17 October – Sunday 26 October, in three shifts:

Morning: 8:00 – 12:00

Afternoon: 12:00 – 17:00

Evening: 17:00 – 22:00

Requirements

  • You communicate clearly and politely
  • You are flexible and motivated
  • You speak an international language
  • You work well in a team
The audience at the Info Point
Guest

You are the first point of contact for guests, filmmakers, directors and press. Your job is to make their stay pleasant and well organised.

What you will do

  • Welcome and guide guests on arrival
  • Prepare guest packs: T-shirts, badges, programmes, vouchers
  • Keep the galas running and guide guests to their seats
  • Communicate clearly and handle information on a computer
  • Find quick solutions when something unexpected happens

Schedule

Friday 17 October – Sunday 26 October, in three shifts:

Morning: 9:00 – 13:00

Afternoon: 13:00 – 17:30

Evening: 17:30 – 22:00

Requirements

  • Advanced English
  • Basic technical skills: computer, printer
  • You work well in a team
  • A tidy, professional appearance
Festival guests at a meeting
Logistics and technical

You prepare and maintain the festival venues, keep the equipment running and step in when something breaks.

What you will do

  • Mount banners, cover windows and install equipment
  • Help set up and take down screens and projection equipment
  • Install advertising materials: roll-ups, flags, panels
  • Keep the technical equipment running, alongside the coordinator
  • Transport and manage supplies and equipment
  • Solve technical problems as they appear
  • Distribute snacks to volunteers across the venues

Schedule

Starts around 10 days before the festival, without fixed shifts.

During the festival, organised shifts that keep the team present at the venues at all times.

Requirements

  • Flexibility and team spirit
  • Good physical condition for active work
  • Availability for long days, especially during set-up and take-down
  • Optional: audio-video, IT or networking knowledge
  • Optional: conversational English or German
The team preparing a festival venue
Screening spaces and venues

You are assigned to a venue and make sure every screening runs smoothly, from the moment the audience walks in to the last question from the hall.

What you will do

  • Manage audience access and check tickets and invitations
  • Seat the audience and keep the hall comfortable
  • Keep the hall tidy before and after screenings
  • Work with the venue manager to keep the event running
  • Handle the microphones during Q&A sessions
  • Update the boards and hand out flyers
  • If time allows, you can watch a film during your shift

Schedule

Shift 1, morning: 7:30 – 15:00, Astra Film Junior screenings only

Shift 2, afternoon: 14:30 – 17:30

Shift 3, evening: 17:30 – 23:00

Astra Film Cinema may run a different schedule, agreed with the venue manager.

Requirements

  • You communicate excellently and connect easily with the audience
  • You work well in a team, alongside the venue manager
  • You pay attention to detail and stay calm when things go wrong
  • You are available for the training sessions on tickets and invitations
  • You manage your time and work well under pressure
A full auditorium before a screening
Crisis management and administrative support

You adapt to different roles and responsibilities, wherever you are needed. This asks for a proactive, organised approach.

What you will do

  • Run errands and take on special tasks from coordinators and venue managers
  • Prepare and hand out event invitations
  • Collect and pass information between volunteers and the management team
  • Handle unexpected administrative tasks during the festival
  • Keep venues supplied with office materials and equipment
  • Track borrowed items and return them at the end
  • Cover for absent colleagues in other departments, in exceptional cases

Schedule

Starts around 10 days before the festival, between 10:00 and 15:00.

During the festival, 19 – 26 October:

Morning: 9:30 – 13:30

Afternoon: 14:30 – 18:30

Evening: 19:00 – 22:00

Requirements

  • You communicate well and connect easily with people
  • You cope in dynamic, demanding environments
  • You are flexible and adapt quickly
  • You are proactive and work well in a team
  • You can use office equipment at a basic level
Coordination between volunteers and the team
Industry Crew

You are with us at the networking events for film professionals.

What you will do

  • Prepare the spaces for events
  • Welcome and guide international guests
  • Answer questions about the festival
  • Keep the spaces tidy and in order

Schedule

The schedule is set a week before the festival, in morning and afternoon shifts.

Requirements

  • Very good English — most guests come from abroad
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Team spirit
A networking event for professionals
Video team

You document the festival with professional equipment, alongside specialists who guide you step by step. This is one of the most visible teams at the festival.

What you will do

  • Film the screenings, Q&A sessions and special events
  • Learn to use professional equipment and edit video material
  • Get continuous feedback from professionals

Schedule

Set according to the festival events, with morning, afternoon and evening shifts, following filming needs.

Requirements

  • A passion for film and image
  • Attention to detail and patience
  • Previous experience is not required, but it helps
  • You take part in a training session on the basics of filming and composition
The video team filming at the festival
Media — content creators

A programme for high-school students aged 14–18 who want to learn how a festival is promoted on TikTok and Instagram. Part of Astra Film Teens.

What you will do

  • Join an online introductory meeting and discussion about social media
  • Take an intensive 3-day training: TikTok, Reels, video editing, digital ethics, countering disinformation
  • Do practical exercises in creating and publishing content
  • Create daily content for the official platforms during the festival

Schedule

The workshop takes place before the festival. During the festival you create daily content, with feedback and support from trainers and project managers.

Requirements

  • You are between 14 and 18
  • You are passionate about social media and digital creation
  • You send your social media profile when applying
  • You answer a few questions about your motivation and availability
Young content creators at the festival
Public speaking

If you enjoy speaking in front of people, you shape the audience's experience directly and take part in the sessions with guests.

What you will do

  • Ask questions during Q&A sessions with directors and special guests
  • Announce film titles before the screenings
  • Write short pieces about the films and the Q&A sessions

Schedule

Shifts run 14:30 – 18:30 and 18:30 – 23:00.

At Astra Film Cinema screenings may start from 11:00, and the schedule is agreed with the venue manager.

Requirements

  • Clear diction and articulate speech, at ease in front of an audience
  • Very good English
  • A selection interview with the department manager
A Q&A session with the audience