Coordinator Login

True/False 2021
Apply to Volunteer

[email protected]

Thank you for your interest in being a 2021 True/False Film Fest volunteer! We approve applications on a rolling basis.

IMPORTANT - Email is our primary means of communication. Please use an email address you check frequently.

Our application includes an option to submit demographic information.  Our organizational value of inclusivity states: we honor the dignity of every human. We are an organization of diverse individuals possessing a variety of perspectives, identities, and lived experiences. We recognize that to create an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, we must understand and value both our individual differences and our collective similarities. Your identified information will be used to evaluate our organization as we work toward meeting our strategic goals of increasing and diversifying both our volunteer base and audience. Please be sure to read all of our organizational values here. Again, all demographic information is optional and will not impact your application or team status.

We are working with the Boone County Health Department to develop our Health Operational Plan and volunteers will be expected to follow all precautions including washing hand frequently, wearing a mask, socially distancing when able, and staying home when feeling ill. We'll do our best to put volunteers in stable groups and continue to update you on our health plans.

If you do not receive confirmation of your application submission RIGHT AWAY please check your JUNK mail.  If not there, please contact us for help.

Personnel Information

He/Him/His, She/Her/Hers, They/Their/Theirs, Other, please list.

Experience

General

General volunteers serve 20 hours before/during/after the fest. Benefits include admission to 3 films via the Q at the Park, Admission to all concerts and showcases Snazzy t-shirt, Access to the Volunteer Pit Stop, Admission to T/F Films at Ragtag all year and Two Ragtag Member Vouchers.

Juggernaut

Juggernaut volunteers serve 40 hours before/during/after the fest. Benefits include all General Volunteer benefits plus: Admission to 5 films via the Q at the Park, 2 Juggernaut vouchers to get in through Silver Circle Bay and admission to 2 outdoor Ragtag screenings in 2021!

Have you been recruited by a Team Lead to work on a specific team?
Write the full name of the Team Lead who recruited you.
If so, write the name of the team to which you've been recruited.

Availability

ALL APPLICANTS:  Some days show overlap in time frames to select, due to the fact that different teams need volunteers at different times each day.  PLEASE CHECK the box for as many of the windows of time as you are available. If you don't indicate adequate time availability to serve on a particular team, you will not be given an opportunity to select that team on this application.

INVITED RECRUITS:  If you have been recruited for a team, you still need indicate your availability and to select 3 preferred teams in order to proceed through the application.  Once your acceptance is approved by the Team Lead who recruited you, you will be placed with that team in lieu of the other preferences you selected.


There are volunteer opportunities in many very different work teams. Click on a team name below to get a better idea of WHAT these volunteers do. As teams are filled, they will be removed from the application.

Select your TOP 3 team preferences. Based on our needs and your particular skills and interests, we’ll do our best to place you on one of these teams.





As an Art team member, you'll assist our artists in creating physical art installations that will transform spaces throughout the festival footprint. Must apply EARLY and be available for 40 hrs during the months leading up to the Fest. It's helpful if you're handy with power tools.

The Artist Relations team meets and greets T/F guests (filmmakers, artists, industry guests, and high level pass holders) as they arrive in Columbia. The team also acts as the main contact for guests and will sometimes escort them around town. This team will coordinate and distribute information packets for guests. This is an excellent opportunity to meet fascinating people!

The Audio Tech Crew creates the sonic experience of the festival, so if you take tech seriously and have experience at the helm of a multi-channel soundboard, we're interested. AUDIO experience is REQUIRED to be part of the tech team, so please list yours in the Skills and Abilities section.
Be part of the team that serves drinks to filmmakers and festival goers alike! You must have a Missouri bartending license and include a description of your bartending experience to be considered for this team.
Provide festival-worthy customer service to passholders and ticket buyers at our bustling Box Office. Must love helping people and answering questions with a smile. Job often includes being on your feet for long periods of time. Customer service, retail, and/or cash register experience preferred.
The small and awesome Build Team does everything from work with artists to help them create their visions to building storage crates for T/F production materials (and a million other things in between). Must apply early and be available during the months leading up to the Fest; availability during the fest is a plus. Experience and skill with power tools required.

This small and dedicated team helps care for children of Core Staff and Guests. Must be 18 yr+, individuals with childcare experience are preferred. Two personal character references required.

Do you enjoy having interesting conversations with interesting people? Then consider the Chauffeur Team! Your responsibilities will include picking up filmmakers from area airports (including St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia), and transporting filmmakers and industry guests around the Columbia area. Drivers must be at least 23 years old and apply for a Class E Chauffeur's license ($30 fee funded by T/F), application available at http://dor.mo.gov/forms/4317.pdf. You will be given a stipend for each trip made to area airports.  If you are able, you may need to drive a passenger van.

Do you know the power of washing hands for 20 seconds? This is the team for you! We're a pretty clean Fest, but this year, we'll up the bar by sanitizing high contact touch points, keeping handwashing and sanitizing stations stocked, and other things to keep germs at bay. Join the Clean Team to make the Fest the cleanest it's ever been and keep everyone healthy!

Community Partnerships and Education volunteers work with high schools, colleges, universities, and community nonprofits to engage students, teachers, and community members in the Fest. The majority of our volunteer time is spent organizing and facilitating Fest educational events and assisting community members and organizations in Fest engagement. If you're into community education and getting to meet incredible community members and students from Columbia, MO and beyond, come join us! 
Are you reliable? Have your own transportation? Do you have limited time during the Fest, but have a flexible schedule and still want to volunteer? Then we need YOU to work in the office and run errands in the weekends and daytime hours leading up to and during the Fest. Specify your daytime and weekend availability in April/May on your application.
For those 21 yrs+ with experience in food service, catering, or club operations. Help pull off the unique special events that T/F is known for! You must be prepared to work as many as 20 hrs during the Fest. Night owls who like to work parties are welcome. Will include food service and clean-up, and may involve late nights.
Assist in managing panels and discussions during the Fest.
Do you boast brawn as well as brains? Willing to lift 100+ lbs with an able partner? This is the team for you! Shifts will be short, work will be difficult. Results will be satisfying. Must have daytime availability on Wednesday before the fest and Monday after the fest. 

Help sell the coolest merch this side of the Missouri River. During your 20 hr commitment, you may set up or break down merch stations in the days before and after the Fest, or distribute and sell cool T/F goods to attendees. Retail/cash register experience preferred. Requires some heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time.
If the musical side of the fest is where your passions lie, sign up to help our music team with all aspects of fest life for musicians! As a music volunteer you might lend a hand in the musicians lounge, at showcase concerts, in the music merch booth, as tech support during events, on our advertising/street team, or as a musician liaison/driver- all integral parts of making the soundtrack of True/False ring out. No matter the task, you’ll work closely with our visiting guests & T/F staff to help make the musicians feel at home! Volunteers involved in music preferred but not necessary.
Our small and mighty photo team is charged with the ambitious task of capturing it all: pre-fest design and construction, set up, special events, parties, panels & discussions, filmmakers, education outreach, music, art, break down and everything in between! Our goal is to capture strong, iconic, storytelling images for the Fest's archives and for its sponsors. Experienced photographers preferred; General & Juggernaut volunteers accepted. Please include links to your website or portfolio/blog site in the special skills portion of your application. You will need to provide your own equipment. Lightroom is required for part of our post-production workflow. All or some hours may be completed before the Fest.
Think you have what it takes to be a mobile, flamboyant information station at one of our T/F venues? Want to wrangle patrons in the Q outside each theater? Our Queens are skilled in engaging with a crowd while assisting and guiding attendees with style and a smile. If interested, tell us how YOU are qualified to serve as T/F royalty!

Can you lift and carry heavy (50 lb) and/or awkward objects, problem solve, and are willing to get your hands dirty? The trusty Set Up/Break Down crew transforms festival venues into True/Falsian movie palaces before the Fest begins, then returns them to their humble origins after the Fest ends. Most SUBD hours are completed during weekDAYS and are before and after the Fest, so members of this team are generally able to get the full T/F experience with their volunteer pass. 

This Team's leaders describe Special Operations as "customer service for T/F teams." Special Ops provides support for all of the divisions throughout the Fest on the days leading up to and during the Fest; you'll get your hands dirty and you'll work in multiple locations, both inside and out of most, if not all, of our venues. Juggernaut volunteers are preferred, but General volunteers will also be considered for this small but essential team. Anyone with strong constitution and quick adaptability are welcome to apply.

Have aspirations of being a roadie? Love sticking to a schedule? Come wrangle musicians, filmmakers and guests as a Stage Manager. This person keeps the stage running on time and is quick to problem solve. Experience with band equipment and getting people to exit stage left extremely helpful. In filling this position, priority will be given to Juggernaut volunteers and those with prior experience.
Join the Green Team as T/F works towards creating a more environmentally-friendly fest! Help increase recycling at the big T/F events. Help us divert organic waste into compost! All are welcome to join the team, particularly if you are willing to handle recyclables, and can brainstorm creative green ways to haul recycling items!
Assist in the prep work and customer service of our Teleported Fest which brings the soul of True/False into your home with a five day, hyper-curated interactive film experience.

Be part of the LARGEST (and arguably GREATEST) team of the fest! Theater Operations volunteers inhabit 8 festival theaters and keep them humming right along. You'll take tickets, manage lines, count seats, usher people into the theater, and interact with a public eager to see the best docs around. This is where the action is, with venues abuzz with filmmakers, musicians, and Columbia's finest passholders and attendees. Expect to be on your feet a significant amount of time, but also expect quiet times during screenings.

Are you someone who would rather work behind the scenes, meeting and greeting volunteers? The Volunteer team works at the Volunteer Pit Stop from morning till late-night Wednesday-Sunday of the Fest. Additional hours before and after are required for Volunteer Orientation and setup and breakdown of our space. You'll help with volunteer services such as bag/coat check, refreshments, information, late check-in and awesome service and kudos to our hard-working volunteers.

Do you love being in the thick of it all? Helping vendors and staff? Making them smile by bringing them meals and making sure they have everything they need? If yes, this small, but mighty team needs YOU!


 

Additional Information

Preferred for Box Office, Teleported Fest applicants
Preferred for Artist Relations, Chauffeur applicants
Preferred for Box Office, Merchandise, Hazardous Waste applicants
Preferred for Artist Relations, Chauffeur applicants
Preferred for Booze, Events, Events: ID Checker, Special Operations applicants
Preferred for Booze, Events applicants
Preferred for Booze, Events applicants
Preferred for Build, Set Up/Break Down, SUBD: Crew Chiefs applicants
Preferred for Art, Build, Haul Stars, Materials, Set Up/Break Down, SUBD: Crew Chiefs applicants
Preferred for Art, Audio Tech, Build, Errand Runners, Events, Set Up/Break Down, SUBD: Crew Chiefs applicants
Preferred for Art, Build, Errand Runners, Set Up/Break Down, Special Operations applicants
Preferred for Audio Tech applicants
Preferred for Art, Booze, Build, Materials, Set Up/Break Down, Special Operations, SUBD: Crew Chiefs applicants

Demographic Information

White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, or some other race (please list)
Latinx and Not Latinx