Volunteering with Iris Prize

About volunteering at Iris Prize

Volunteers are at the heart of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Each year, volunteers help us welcome audiences, filmmakers, juries and guests to Cardiff and play a vital role in delivering a warm, inclusive and professional festival experience. Volunteering with Iris Prize is an opportunity to be part of a globally respected LGBTQ+ cultural event, meet people from across the film and creative industries, and contribute to sharing LGBTQ+ stories with audiences locally and internationally.

We welcome volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You do not need prior festival or film industry experience to volunteer with Iris Prize — just enthusiasm, reliability and a commitment to our values of inclusion and respect.

Volunteering is unpaid and entirely optional. Volunteers offer their time and skills freely, and Iris Prize is committed to supporting, valuing and recognising that contribution in line with our Volunteer Management Policy.

Volunteering opportunities are available during the festival period and, occasionally, as part of our year‑round activity.

We’ll be open to applications for 2026 this summer!

You can find out more by emailing adnan@irisprize.org

Volunteer roles

The following roles reflect the main ways volunteers support the delivery of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Specific duties and shift patterns will vary from year to year depending on the programme and venues. However we usual ask you to commit to at least three volunteer sessions during the Festival to secure all benefits including a free festival pass.

Some roles involve standing for extended periods, working in busy public environments, or evening shifts. We aim to accommodate access needs wherever possible and encourage volunteers to discuss any requirements with us in advance.

Box Office & Front of House

Box Office and Front of House volunteers are often the first point of contact for festival audiences and play a key role in shaping the visitor experience.

What the role involves:

  • Staffing the Box Office, selling tickets and answering enquiries from festival goers
  • Working with the Front of House Manager to help ensure the comfort and safety of audiences
  • Scanning tickets and managing queues for screenings and events
  • Assisting with clearing screening rooms after presentations and preparing spaces for subsequent events

BAR

Bar volunteers help create a welcoming and sociable environment for festival audiences, guests and filmmakers.

What the role involves:

  • Serving festival goers at the Iris Bar
  • Helping to keep the bar and café areas clean, safe and welcoming
  • Maintaining food safety documentation as required
  • Ensuring stock is properly accounted for and that payments or vouchers are correctly recorded and used

Venue Delivery & Technical (VDT) Team

VDT volunteers support the technical and practical delivery of festival events beyond film screenings.

What the role involves:

  • Setting up and operating in‑screen technical equipment and lighting for Q&As, introductions and presentations
  • Assisting with the delivery of technical services to support talks, panels and other festival events
  • Working closely with festival staff and venue teams to ensure events run smoothly

Guest and Jury Liaison

Guest and Jury Liaison volunteers help ensure that invited guests and jury members have a positive and well‑supported festival experience.

What the role involves:

  • Acting as a key Iris contact for jury members and invited guests
  • Supporting guests to keep track of their schedules and festival commitments
  • Helping guests navigate venues and festival events
  • Providing a friendly and professional point of contact throughout the festival

Social Ambassador

Social Ambassadors help amplify the energy and impact of the festival across Iris Prize’s social media channels.

What the role involves:

  • Creating and sharing content across one or more Iris social channels before and during the festival
  • Helping to engage audiences online and grow awareness of the festival programme and events
  • Working with the Iris team to reflect the festival’s values, tone and visual identity

Festival

Iris Membership

Friends of Iris