Volunteer positions up for grabs at Dubai film festival

DUBAI // Volunteers will have the chance to go behind the scenes of next month's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) as the event's organisers host a recruitment drive from next Monday.

UAE nationals will be given first preference to fill the more than 500 available positions.

The first recruitment day on November 22 will be open to Emiratis only, and registration will be from 6pm to 8pm in the auditorium at Dubai's Knowledge Village.

The second recruitment day, on November 23, will be open to those who have worked as volunteers at previous DIFFs. The registration desk will be open to returning volunteers from 6pm to 9pm.

Any remaining slots will be filled during a recruitment drive open to the general public on the third and final day, which will take place on November 27 from 5pm to 8pm. "The film festival is a community event that brings together people from all walks of life," said Mohammed al Housani, the DIFF human resources and volunteers manager.

"We look forward to the strong participation of UAE residents this year too."

Volunteers are assigned to a broad spectrum of jobs, which include working as ushers, or on the red carpet, to human resources and greeting VIP guests.

Volunteers are not paid, but they are allowed to attend any of the screenings free of charge when not working and are invited to "the volunteer party" at the end of the festival.

Prospective volunteers must fill out an application form on the DIFF website and confirm their attendance by e-mail.

The seventh Dubai International Film Festival runs from December 12 to 19.

smclain@thenational.ae