Film Tech Internship - Houston Cinema Arts Society
Location: Hybrid / Houston, TX
Reports To: Executive Director
Works With: Festival Technical Coordinator
Internship Type: Unpaid / Academic Credit Available
Time Commitment: 10–15 hours per week, flexible schedule
About the Organization
Mission Statement: Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) celebrates and illuminates the vitality of one of America’s most diverse cities by connecting audiences and artists with public, educational, and career-advancing film and arts programming.
Vision: Houston Cinema Arts Society envisions a future where filmmaking, production, and public programming thrive and grow, in step with the city’s ever-evolving fine arts and media sector. In turn, by fostering global filmmakers and promoting local film, television and media production, HCAS helps realize and celebrate our city’s diversity and cultural riches.
Who We Are: HCAS engages, enriches, and empowers Houston’s diverse cultures and communities by programming and supporting filmmaking and the arts. Our goal is to uplift the importance of film as an accessible device for storytelling and raising awareness; we work to empower regional and underrepresented filmmakers, and to showcase Houston’s diversity and cultural riches via community programs that highlight the intersection of film with other art forms and global issues.
HCAS was conceived in 2007 when former Mayor Bill White created a task force of cultural leaders spearheaded by arts philanthropist Franci Neely to stimulate film culture in Houston. HCAS received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in September 2008 and launched its first large-scale film festival in November 2009. HCAS continues to focus its mission on expanding Houston’s film culture, and making Houston a hub for innovation in film and media. The Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF), held annually in November, stands as the largest international and independent film festival in Houston. This multi-venue event features a diverse array of programming, including over 50 narrative, documentary, and experimental films. Attendees can also enjoy innovative video and media installations, live multi-media performances, panel discussions, filmmaker workshops, and free student field trip screenings. HCAF presents several unique programs, such as the CineSpace short film competition, which is a collaboration with NASA and challenges filmmakers to make a short film utilizing footage from the NASA archives.
Beyond the festival, HCAS is dedicated to engaging with the creative community through various initiatives throughout the year. These include the Houston Media Conference, the Admit One Analog Showcase, the Texas Film Spotlight, Impact Screenings, and quarterly networking events. The festival aims to build meaningful partnerships and provide ongoing opportunities for both filmmakers and film lovers. For more information, visit www.cinemahtx.org.
Position Overview
The Film Tech Intern will support the technical operations of film programming, including media asset management, film traffic, and digital delivery workflows. This position is ideal for someone interested in film exhibition/projection, post-production, or media operations. Interns will learn about industry formats, digital cinema packages (DCPs), and the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that powers festivals and public screenings.
Key Responsibilities
Maintain and organize our internal media library across platforms, including Dropbox, YouTube, and Vimeo.
Ensure proper naming conventions, metadata, and file tagging for easy retrieval and archival.
Assist in coordinating incoming and outgoing screening assets from filmmakers, distributors, and programmers.
Track and log screening materials such as screeners, DCPs, ProRes files, or digital links.
Support Digital Cinema Package (DCP) creation and conversion workflows.
Assist with quality control checks for incoming and outgoing DCPs.
Support on-site technical needs during in-person events or screenings.
Assist with projection prep, setup, and troubleshooting when needed.
Qualifications
Interest in the technical side of filmmaking, digital exhibition, or post-production
Familiarity with basic file formats (e.g., .mov, .mp4, ProRes, DCP) is a plus
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Willingness to learn new software and systems
Experience with Dropbox, Vimeo, YouTube Studio, or file management workflows is helpful
Prior media production or AV experience
What You’ll Learn
Real-world tools and workflows used in both festival and theatrical settings
How to organize and maintain a professional media archive
The basics of DCP creation and digital delivery formats for film exhibition
The communication and logistics involved in film traffic coordination with filmmakers and distributors.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to operations@cinemahtx.org with the subject line “Film Tech Internship Application” + your first and last name. September 12 deadline!