CIFF is looking for a Young Progammer

Open Call: CIFF Young Programmer 2027 Vacancy

Are you passionate about film and curious about what happens behind the scenes of an international film festival? Curaçao International Film Festival (CIFF) is looking for a Young Programmer to join the programming team for CIFF 2027.

As CIFF Young Programmer, you will work alongside the festival’s programming team on the Watapana Short Film Programme, part of CIFF’s Caribbean Focus. This is an opportunity for an emerging film enthusiast based in Curaçao to gain hands-on experience in film programming, festival organization and the selection process behind a film festival programme.

About the Watapana Award
The Watapana Award is dedicated to filmmakers from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Suriname.
The award takes its name from the watapana tree, a symbol of strength and resilience, and honours the work of Curaçaoan filmmaker Wilbert Tecla. In the 1970s, Tecla addressed urgent environmental themes in his short film Lanta Para Watapana, inspired by the poem of the same name by Henri Habibe. As Young Programmer, you will help CIFF discover, assess and select films for this programme.

What will you do?
Working closely with CIFF’s programmers, you will:
– Watch submitted films and write viewing notes;Participate in programming meetings and discussions;
– Help track films that are being considered and ensure they are viewed and assessed;
– Maintain and update documents containing film titles, screening links and other programming information;
– Take notes during programming meetings;
– Contribute your perspective to the selection process for the Watapana Short Film Programme.

What will you learn?
The Young Programmer position offers a behind-the-scenes introduction to the work of an international film festival. You will gain insight into:
– How festival programmers watch, discuss and select films;
– How a festival programme is developed and structured;
– How films are evaluated in relation to a festival’s editorial vision;
– The administrative process behind programming, including industry outreach and title management;
– Communication and professional protocols between festivals, filmmakers and other film professionals;
– The wider organization and day-to-day workings of a film festival.

Who are we looking for?
Applicants must be 18 years or older and based in Curaçao. We are looking for someone who has a strong and demonstrable interest in film and the film industry and is eager to learn more about festival programming.

You should also have:
– Good spoken and written English and Dutch;
– Strong organizational and time-management skills;
– Good communication skills;
– Working knowledge of Google Docs and other Google applications;
– An interest in and awareness of current filmmaking trends;
– Availability to attend CIFF 2027 in person.
– Knowledge of Spanish is considered an advantage, but is not required.

Previous professional experience in film programming is not required. Enthusiasm, curiosity, commitment and a genuine interest in cinema are important.

Practical information
The position will be carried out remotely in the lead-up to the festival (starting mid november). The weekly commitment will not exceed approximately 5 hours, including monthly or twice-monthly programming meetings of around 1–2 hours.

During CIFF 2027, the selected Young Programmer must be available onsite in Willemstad from April 13–18, 2027.

The selected candidate will receive an honorarium of Cg. 1,250, payable upon completion of the relevant selection process.

In addition, the Young Programmer will receive:
– An invitation to the CIFF Opening Night;
– Five tickets to film screenings during the festival.

Apply to become CIFF Young Programmer
Interested in joining the CIFF 2027 programming team? We want to hear from you.
Please send: Your CV and a motivation letter explaining why you are interested in becoming CIFF Young Programmer, what you would bring to the role, and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Send your application to ciff2027.submissions@gmail.com no later than Friday, October 30, 2026.
Apply and become part of the team shaping the Watapana Short Film Programme for CIFF 2027.

Note to editors
For more information about the vacancy, please contact:
Petra van Dongen– ciff2027.submissions@gmail.com