The 2017 volunteer form is now open for business!
Check out our Volunteer Handbook for more information about what you can expect helping the OIAF and see what you can apply for in our Volunteer Positions Guide.
How to Volunteer: 1.If you haven't already done so, register an account at the top of the www.animationfestival.ca website. You will receive a confirmation e-mail, just click on the link and it will take you back to the website.
2. Log into your account, and scroll down to complete the volunteer form. You will receive an email confirming that you have registered as a volunteer. Within a few weeks you will receive either an e-mail or telephone call to register you on specific shifts.
Why Volunteer? 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 talks 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.
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
Volunteer Leadership Roles
For those looking to take on more substantial volunteer roles at the festival, we are now recruiting for several key leadership positions! These positions are best suited for repeat volunteers, people with expertise in certain fields, or those who want to gain experience and beef up their resumes. Volunteer Leaders must have more time and flexibility than regular volunteers, as these positions do span several days. Being friendly, confident, mature and reliable is a must!
Feel free to take a look at the Leadership Positions available below, and if you are interested in applying, please send your resume and position(s) of choice to
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as soon as possible!
TAC ASSISTANT
TAC (The Animation Conference) brings together key players in North American and international markets and provides a forum for active networking, practical information exchange, and trade in a comfortable and intimate environment. TAC hosts various talks and workshops and runs out of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. If you want to produce animation and meet people in the industry - this is the position for you!
Your responsibilities will include assisting festival staff with pre event logistics as well as supervising and delegating tasks to a group of volunteers. You will help make sure everything is running smoothly, whether it be checking passes, supervising the doors, helping with registration, etc. Casual business attire is a MUST. TAC runs Wednesday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The OIAF wouldn’t be the same without its dedicated team of volunteers. Work directly with the Volunteer Coordinator on site and in the OIAF Office!
Responsibilities will include overseeing volunteers, assisting with the volunteer orientation, delegating tasks, and helping to coordinate the volunteer shift schedule. You will also be answering phone calls and e-mails and helping prepare volunteer passes.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY TEAM LEADER
Professional Development Day is a full day event which takes place at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. PDD hosts a number of talks and screenings on various topics pertaining to animation and is an opportunity for those looking to break into the industry, as well as fans, to get to look behind the scenes of the industry.
As the PDD Team Leader you will assist festival staff with event logistics as well as train, oversee and delegate tasks to a group of volunteers. You will also be interacting with the festival attendees - greeting, answering questions, etc.
NIGHT OWL TEAM LEADER
Night Owl is a late-night party filled with music, gaming, animation, drawing and drinks, and is a chance for festival attendees to let loose after a busy few days.
Your responsibilities will include assisting with event coordination, volunteer management, answering questions, etc! The Night Owl Team Leader must really be a night owl, and have their own arrangements to get home after the event as festival staff and volunteers will be on site until past 2:00am.
ANIMATORS’ PICNIC TEAM LEADER
The Animators’ Picnic is a festival favourite with big industry names in attendance. Guests at this Passholders-only event enjoy a complimentary lunch and a pumpkin carving contest.
The Animators’ Picnic Team Leader will be taking on tasks such as assisting with event coordination, prepping volunteers and delegating tasks.
CHEZ ANI CAFÉ TEAM LEADER
Chez Ani Café is set up in the Arts Court Building and will be open for the duration of the Festival from 9:00am until 11:00pm daily, serving coffee, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. The Chez Ani Team Leader will be responsible for running the café - training the volunteer bartenders/baristas, keeping the café organized, handling cash and debit transactions, etc. Smart Serve Certification is a must!
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY TEAM LEADER
Train and lead a team of volunteers, handle cash and debit transactions, and serve beverages (Smart Serve required) at OIAF’s official Closing Night Party, a casual affair for festival attendees to have one last hurrah!
VIRTUAL REALITY TEAM LEADER
Virtual Reality Stations will be open throughout the Festival at the Arts Court Building, giving Festival-goers the unique opportunity to try out state of the art technology. The Virtual Reality Team Leader will be responsible for moving between these stations to ensure everything is running smoothly. Train volunteers to use and troubleshoot the equipment, and assist guests with this popular actitivy.
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
High School Animation Ambassador!
OIAF is offering the unique opportunity to high school students of becoming your school's representative for the 2016 Ottawa International Animation Festival. Our Animation Ambassador! will help to get other students in their school involved in volunteering. You can help build the excitement leading up to the event by helping us promote it at your high school.
WHY?
The Animation Ambassador! will receive a FREE PASS to all OIAF events! This allows you to take in all of the great screenings and programs throughout the entire event. You also get the opportunity to beef up your resume and be part of one of Ottawa's largest festivals.
If you think you would make a great Animation Ambassador!, please send an email describing why you would like to be selected. Emails should be sent by July 1 to
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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, talks (including Animation Career Fair) 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 15th, 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 20th-24th. Screenings and programs take place at the ByTowne Cinema, Arts Court, National Gallery, Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts, and the Chateau Laurier. 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.
