Social Media Marketing Internship - Houston Cinema Arts Society
Location: Hybrid / Houston, TX
Reports To: Executive Director
Works With: Festival PR 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 Social Media Marketing Intern will support the Houston Cinema Arts Society’s marketing efforts by creating content, assisting with social media strategy, and engaging with audiences across platforms. This position is ideal for someone passionate about film, digital storytelling, and creative marketing. Interns will gain practical experience in campaign execution, content design, influencer engagement, and analytics — all within the context of a fast-paced arts nonprofit and film festival environment.
Key Responsibilities
Assist in maintaining and executing social media content calendars across Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Letterboxd
Draft, schedule, and publish posts that reflect HCAS’s voice and branding
Monitor and engage with followers, responding to comments, messages, and mentions
Research trends, hashtags, and influencers to increase engagement and event visibility
Design promotional graphics and edit short-form video content for reels, stories, and TikToks
Capture content at events
Help draft and format email newsletters and manage email lists for targeted outreach
Collaborate on marketing campaigns for flagship events and support cross-promotions with partners
Organize and archive marketing assets; track engagement metrics and compile reports
Stay informed on evolving platform trends, tools, and best practices
Qualifications
Strong interest in film, digital media, or arts marketing
Familiarity with major social media platforms and content trends
Experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, or similar design/video tools is a plus
Excellent writing skills with attention to brand tone and style
Organized, reliable, and proactive — able to manage tasks and meet deadlines
Photography/videography skills a bonus, but not required
What You’ll Learn
How to create strategic, branded social content across platforms
How to engage and grow online audiences for a nonprofit film organization
Best practices for campaign planning, email marketing, and influencer outreach How to use data and analytics to refine creative and strategic decisions
Real-world skills in content creation, digital storytelling, and audience engagement for arts and culture
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to operations@cinemahtx.org with the subject line “Social Media Marketing Internship Application” + your first and last name. September 12 deadline!