Want a fun way to get involved with the festival? Maybe you'd like to increase your volunteer hours so that you can finish up a school credit? Or maybe you've heard (correctly) that if you work two full shifts for the OIAF, you get access to the screenings and workshops at this year's Festival? Perhaps you just know that you're going to be bored in September? Well, look no further than the OIAF to solve all your problems. Just don't wait too long to sign up, or else... you'll miss out.
This festival is one of a kind attracting movie buffs, art lovers, filmmakers, and cartoon fans from around the world, bringing them together in one place, for one special event, once a year. An event of this scale would not be possible without the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of the volunteers who faithfully support the festival every year.
“The Festival is always a fun and exciting time, in addition to being a great window for otherwise hidden gems in art.” - Dominique
Volunteer Form is now available online! To sign up, sign into your account and select Volunteer Status. If you do not already have an account, select "no account yet" and you will be able to sign up.
Why you should volunteer for the Animation Festival:
Get a volunteer pass to attend screenings & workshops
Learn about the world of animation film
Make new friends
Take a step out of day-to-day life
Experience the joy of giving
Have a lot of fun
Learn & develop new skills
Use existing skills in new and exciting ways
To stay informed of volunteer opportunities, be sure to register with our website to receive the OIAF e-mail newsletter!If you do not have an account, click on ‘no account yet? register' to create one.
“I loved the volunteer experience I had during the festival. I met lots of interesting people and got lots of inspiration, thanks for an amazing experience. I'm looking forward for next year already.” - Franky
If you do not yet have an account, please click "no account yet? Register" on the left side of your screen. Once you have an account, log in and select "Volunteer Status" in the drop down menu. On this page fill in the form with your personal details, preferred positions and availability and click submit. You will receive email confirmation that your application has been received.
Next, our volunteer coordinator will assign you your shifts, and the system will automatically send you an email with scheduled shift information. Please make sure you confirm your shifts by emailing
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If you were a volunteer for the festival in previous years, you now have the opportunity to apply for a leadership position, where you will be assigned to a specific task, taking on extra responsibility and helping guide the volunteers on shift with their duties, and answering any of their questions. You can apply to a position by sending your resume and a letter of motivation, including your preferred task, to
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We are happy to have you volunteer at the event. Please note that we will not be able to provide accommodation (though you can see a list of recommendations on our website) and we would like to remind you that the volunteer pass does not give you access to the entire festival.
The best way to be scheduled for the same shifts as your friends is to coordinate with each other when signing up and then to send a note including your names to our volunteer coordinator at
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We cannot guarantee that you will be scheduled with your friends, but we’ll do our best.
We hold an orientation session a week or two before the festival starts. You are not required to attend, but we encourage you to come in order to learn more, to ask any questions you might have and to meet some of your fellow volunteers.
All our screening venues are accessible for wheelchairs; unfortunately, some of our party locations are not. Please get in touch with the volunteer coordinator if you require more details.
Most of our volunteer positions require no previous experience, just enthusiasm!
For the parties and for Chez Anicafe, we require you to be 19+ years old and we will give preference to volunteers with the Smartserve certificate for the Chez AniCafe.
For reception, we are looking for some bilingual volunteers to welcome all our attendees (not just French, but any language you offer).
With the volunteer access pass you can attend screenings, workshops (including Animators for Hire) and special presentations space permitting. We do ask that you wait until showtime and until all passholders and ticket buyers are inside before taking a seat. We recommend avoiding the busy Gala competition screenings.
Volunteers over 19 can attend our late night parties but must wait until all passholders are inside the venue. This can sometimes be as late as 1am.
The only events volunteers do not have access to are the Animator's Picnic and TAC (unless you are working these events.)
Volunteer passes can be picked up starting Monday, September 19th, at the office, during business hours (9:30am-9pm). We are located in the Arts Court building at 2 Daly Street on the first floor (take elevator B). Please make sure that you have your pass when you attend your first shift so that you are identifiable. Your volunteer pass is strictly personal and cannot be used by anyone else.
You will be assigned two shifts. The average volunteer shift is approximately four hours long. If you are willing to take on more than two shifts, please email our volunteer coordinator, and you will be showered with thanks!
Yes and No. You will be able to meet people while on duty, however you cannot participate or talk shop with them during your shift. You are allowed to come to recruitment events, and to parties if there is space (entrance after the party starts, so it could be late).
The festival takes place from September 21-25. Screenings take place at Bytowne Cinema, Arts Court, Empire Theatres Rideau Centre, The National Gallery and the Museum of Civilization. The party locations are also in the downtown area.
We recommend you arrive around 15-20 minutes before your shift starts, giving you time to get settled and receive any further directions from the location manager.
Everyday casual attire is acceptable for most festival events. We encourage volunteers to wear clothing that is comfortable and presentable, and ask that you do not wear any t-shirts, logos, or paraphernalia with offensive language or imagery on them. Khakis, skirts, and blue jeans are acceptable for events, so feel free to dress in the manner you feel appropriate.
Volunteers working at TAC events are to dress in business casual. If you are volunteering at one or more TAC events and have concerns about this, please let us know in advance so we can work something out.
We do not pay for cab fare or arrange transportation for volunteers. We do want you to get home safely and ask therefore that you make sure you have arranged safe and reliable transportation, before coming to the shift.
Let our volunteer coordinator know as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel a shift, so we can make alternate arrangements, at 613-232-8769.
You can contact our volunteer coordinator by email at
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or by phone at: 613-232-8769.
Want a fun way to get involved with the festival? Maybe you'd like to increase your volunteer hours so that you can finish up a school credit? Or maybe you've heard (correctly) that if you work two full shifts for the OIAF, you get access to the screenings and workshops at this year's Festival? Perhaps you just know that you're going to be bored in September? Well, look no further than the OIAF to solve all your problems. Just don't wait too long to sign up, or else... you'll miss out.