The Leiden International Film Festival depends on its volunteers, and that means we depend on you! Our 21st edition will take place from October 8 to October 18, 2026, and we’d love for you to join us!
What can you expect from us?
LIFF cannot happen without its amazing volunteers! Although the work is unpaid, we will do everything we can in order to make your experience as a volunteer as great as possible. As part of the volunteer team, you will meet many new people and you will experience the festival from a completely new perspective.
What you receive as a LIFF volunteer:
- Lunch, dinner, and (non-alcoholic) beverages during your shifts.
- A festival T-shirt and festival badge.
- Discount on vouchers for drinks outside of your shifts on the festival locations Trianon and Kijkhuis.
- Free film tickets if you work three shifts or more. The number of tickets will be determined before the festival based on the number of shifts you signed up for and cannot be changed during the festival, even if you sign up for more shifts last-minute. These tickets are your personal reward for your valuable contribution to LIFF and cannot be used by other people.
Leading up to the festival we organize a volunteer meeting to welcome everyone and provide you with all the information you’ll need. After the festival, a volunteer evaluation will take place, followed by drinks and a film quiz!
What do we expect from you?
We expect our volunteers to sign up for at least three shifts, be on time for their shifts, be friendly towards visitors and co-volunteers, and to be able to communicate with our visitors in Dutch and/or English.
Volunteer positions
LIFF is open to everyone! If you have doubts about certain positions or if you are curious about your options, please send us an email at [email protected].
You will inform the visitors about the program and sell tickets for the screenings as well as the LIFF merchandise. You are also the first point of contact for visitors. Prior to the festival, you will receive training in the sales system.
If you work accurately and enjoy chatting with visitors, this position is for you! In addition, you should have a good command of both Dutch and English.
Behind the bar in the cinemas, you will sell drinks and snacks to LIFF visitors. For this position, you should be able to operate a beer tap or be willing to learn. It is important that you can work quickly and accurately, especially during busy periods. Being able to do mental math is a plus.
The leaflet distributors take care of distributing festival posters, flyers and program booklets at various locations in Leiden. This work mainly takes place before the festival, which gives you plenty of time to watch a movie (or two) during the festival! It is a plus if you have a fondness for adhesive tape and are not afraid to enter any establishment, determined to leave behind some flyers or a poster. This position is often combined with another volunteer position during the festival.
You’re on standby for all kinds of tasks. The ideal position if you are familiar with the festival, have access to a bike, and know your way around Leiden!
Looking for ways to enrich your portfolio and attend all kinds of events during LIFF? Apply for the position of LIFF photographer by sending an email with a small portfolio to our media coordinator Ruben van Rijn. Don’t forget to fill out the volunteer form as well!
You enjoy constructing and breaking down our set-up at the different locations. You have a good constitution and don’t mind lifting heavy things. Construction will often happen during the day, prior to any events, and at night, when the events are over.