Opportunities

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Guest Services Assistant

Open City Documentary Festival celebrates the art of non-fiction, creating an open space in London to nurture and champion the art of creative documentary and non-fiction filmmakers. The festival is based at UCL within the Department of Anthropology.

The next edition of the festival will take place from the 14th – 19th of April 2026

Dates: 2 days per week from w/c 2nd February

4 days per week from w/c 16th March

Full time from 13th – 19th April

2 days wrap-up after festival

Fee: £5197.50 (before tax). £135/day for 31 days and £168.75/day for 6 days (to account for longer days worked during the festival)

Location: London (office based)

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, and job offers will be contingent on passing the necessary right-to-work checks.

Main Purpose of the Job:

Open City Documentary Festival is currently looking for a Guest Services Assistant to assist with the planning and delivery of all guest services in the lead-up to and throughout the festival. The post holder will work with the Guest Services Coordinator on guest and filmmaker communications, helping ensure all information about the festival is relayed to guests in a clear and organised manner.

Additional Details:

This is an on-site position based at our London office. The successful candidate must be available to work throughout the full festival period, 14–19 April 2026 (including the weekend). During these dates, flexible working hours will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with the Guest Services Coordinator to assist on all communications with filmmakers and guests and support the smooth running of all guest related activities.

Alongside the Guest Services Coordinator, act as main point of contact for guest queries.

Support the Guest Services Coordinator with travel and hotel bookings.

Assist with collating guest schedules and filmmaker welcome packs.

Act as main point of contact for student delegates. Create and distribute student welcome pack.

Prepare mail-outs to student delegates in lead-up to and during the festival.

Create guest list documents, work with the Guest Services Coordinator to maintain guest lists for screenings and ensure last minute changes are communicated to Venue Coordinators.

Liaise with printing services for delegate passes and assist with collating materials to produce these items.

Assist with plans for Guest Office at the Festival Hub, including any relevant hires and delivery scheduling.

Assist with guest hospitality, including arranging catering and logistics.

Oversee guest lists for opening and closing night screenings.

Contribute to the creation of venue packs with information on attending talent for Venue Coordinators.

Work with Guest Services Coordinator to oversee production of delegate tote bags.

Assist with the set-up of the Guest Office as part of the Festival Hub and be available on the information desk throughout the festival to greet guests and answer queries.

Assist with hospitality and networking including happy hours, as required.

Assist team with general administrative tasks.

Act as an ambassador for Open City Documentary Festival at any events attended.

Any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by the festival team.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Experience in a customer or guest services role, ideally within an arts or cultural organisation

Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to checking the accuracy of information.

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to deal effectively with people at all levels.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Excel.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience working on film festivals or similar cultural events

To apply please complete this form and send a CV to info@opencitylondon.com with the subject line “2026 Guest Services Assistant Application.” Entries close 5 January 2026, 9am (GMT) and interviews will take place w/c 12 January 2026.

Expanded Realities Exhibition Producer

The next edition of the festival will take place from the 14th – 19th of April 2026

Dates:

3 days per week from 23rd February

Full time from 13th -19th April (inclusive of weekend)

4 days wrap-up after festival

Fee: £4856.00 (before tax). £145/day for 26 days and £181/day for 6 days (to account for longer days worked during the festival)

Location: London (Stratford and Shoreditch)

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, and job offers will be contingent on passing the necessary right-to-work checks.

Main Purpose of the Job:

The Expanded Realities Exhibition Producer will oversee the planning and delivery of the ExR Exhibition at the 2026 festival. The post holder will work with the co-curators on the Exhibition production, manage all technical aspects of the exhibition in the lead-up to and throughout the festival and oversee the smooth running of the exhibition during the festival dates.

Additional Details:

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Oversee the technical preparation of the exhibition content and test in good time ahead of the festival, including formats such as VR, games, web content, multi-channel video, and audio.

· Arrange any hires required for additional tech or kit for the exhibition.

· Assist the wider team on production design of the exhibition and arrange any purchases or hires as required.

· Communicate professionally with project artists and creators to agree production design plans and troubleshoot technical issues, as required

· Oversee the Expanded Realities Exhibition budget document, keeping it updated with expenditure.

· Create and maintain a database of projects with all required information regarding tech, production design, drawing on information already gathered by the team and from participating artists

· Create inventory for the exhibition and share with the wider team.

· Create checklists for exhibition install and de-rig to be circulated with team.

· Collate briefing documents for each project including health and safety information and guidelines for interacting with the public, to be shared with exhibition volunteers

· Create signage for exhibition including signage for each project.

· Oversee the installation of the exhibition alongside the wider team

· Be responsible for running the Expanded Realities exhibition throughout the festival, including managing inventory and volunteers on site.

· Ensure that all equipment is set up, charged, or stored in the correct way during the exhibition and when closing the exhibition

· Troubleshoot any technical or logistical issues that arise with the exhibition

· Create a volunteer briefing document. Brief volunteers daily and support them throughout the opening hours.

· Ensure the exhibition runs smoothly and visitors are provided with the best possible experience.

· Oversee de-rig of the exhibition and returns of all equipment/hires.

· Act as an ambassador for Open City Documentary Festival at all events attended.

· Any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by the festival team.

Essential Criteria:

· Demonstrable experience working with XR and immersive projects, including VR and related interactive formats

· Strong technical understanding of XR devices and file formats

· Working knowledge of other interactive formats (e.g. Video games, Web-based interactive projects, multi-channel video installations)

· Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

· Strong communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with artists, curators, technicians, volunteers, and non-technical team members

· Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to checking the accuracy of information.

Desirable Criteria:

· Experience managing immersive technologies within an exhibition

· Experience supporting or delivering exhibition production and design, including layout planning, signage, and presentation of digital or time-based works.

We know that you may not meet every requirement listed. If this role excites you and you feel you can bring relevant skills and experience, we would love to hear from you.

As part of London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates currently underrepresented in UCL’s workforce and within the cultural sector. These include: people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQ+ people.

To apply please complete this form and send your CV to info@opencitylondon.com with the subject line “Expanded Realities Exhibition Producer 2026”.

Applications close at 9am on Monday 12th January 2026. Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 19th January 2026.