Film Programmer, Tribeca Festival

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About Us

Founded in 2001 by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Enterprises is a diversified media and entertainment company that owns and operates the Tribeca Festival, Tribeca Studios, and a production company. Tribeca Enterprises brings artists and audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms – from film and TV to music and gaming to emerging and immersive content. With strong roots in independent cinema, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions diverse voices, discovers award‑winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas via exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and performances.

About The Role

Tribeca is seeking a passionate, motivated, and experienced Programmer to join our team in preparations for our 25th anniversary festival this June 3‑14, 2026. Reporting to the Festival Director, this role will be part of our Programming team with an emphasis on feature films, content creators, and new media. You will attend weekly meetings, screen submissions in consideration for official selection, ideate new programming, and participate in planning for the festival as a whole with senior teams.

About You

Our ideal Festival Programmer is culturally insatiable and loves all storytelling, from international arthouse films to popcorn movies, keeps up with trends in TV, podcasts, music, and social media, and is always eager to identify exciting new creators and experiences. You are articulate, collaborative, and have programming experience and / or experience evaluating creative submissions. You are excited about sharing your passion for film with audiences through screenings and unique live events, and are a creative thinker and problem solver with an enthusiasm for the communal storytelling experience.

Responsibilities

Screen 200-250 feature films, assessing quality, playability, critical response, audience response, availability. Write coverage, participate in weekly programming meetings.

Leverage relationships and do extensive research to track projects in the US and around the world for potential inclusion across all verticals at the annual festival.

Monitor incoming submissions and flag priorities.

Build and maintain relationships with filmmakers; maintain personal correspondence with submitting filmmakers, producers, distributors, and agents, including extensive personal outreach and personal pass letters where necessary.

Participate in ideation, programming, and execution of events beyond film, including panels, retrospectives and reunions, live performances, 25th anniversary celebrations, content creators, and more.

Departmental support as needed including submission reports, research projects, scheduling, etc.

Participate in press meetings to brief press team on program themes, draft lists of discovery talent, etc. Meet with press in official capacity for interviews and backgrounders.

Liaise with Tribeca’s production, partnership, marketing, comms, jury, box office, and operations teams as needed.

Execute programming for sponsored initiatives as needed.

Write catalog capsules, press release copy, and editorial as needed on the program.

Assist with festival scheduling.

Support grassroots marketing, co-host outreach and partnerships, and ticket activation process.

Introduce film screenings and moderate post-screening Q&As; presence across festival events for networking and hospitality.

Requirements

4-6 years’ experience working in the film industry.

Strong industry relationships including with distributors, sales agents, producers, and directors.

Programming experience preferred; experience evaluating creative submissions acceptable.

Familiarity with the festival landscape and knowledge of how film festivals operate.

Ability to communicate clearly and constantly with teams via Slack and other collaboration tools.

Knowledge and interest in film, entertainment, and live event industries, as well as the New York cultural events landscape. Particular knowledge of online creators, new media, emerging filmmaking trends a plus.

Experience producing live events a plus.

Weekly Rate

$1,100 per week

Tribeca is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

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