Join the Team!
Applications are OPEN
FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
AWARDS OFFICER
MARKETING & PR OFFICER
EVENTS OFFICER
CREATIVE FUTURES OFFICER
PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER
VIDEO PRODUCTION OFFICER
CREATIVE DESIGN OFFICER
Read about each of the departments below.
Are you a student at Anglia Ruskin University or the University of Cambridge? Are you interested in a career in the creative industry or simply love film? Looking for a community of like-minded students?
Join the Watersprite team!
We have a wide range of roles available in our eight departments, each of which comes with a unique set of responsibilities and challenges. Scroll down to find out more about each role and for information on how to apply.
If you have any questions about joining the team, feel free to email the 2027 Festival Director at amelia.greenwood@watersprite.org.uk
Sofia Leão winning at the
17th Watersprite Film Festival Awards Ceremony
Awards officer
The Awards Team is perfect for anyone who has a passion for film and the film industry; it is similar to a 'Programming Team' in other festivals. You can get to grips with an entirely different side to film than you may be used to! You will have a crucial role within the judging process and you will be able to create long-lasting connections within the industry. The team has a range of responsibilities throughout the year, including handling submissions for the festival, organising 4 judging stages for the selection of nominees, arranging screenings, running the Awards Ceremony alongside the Events Team, and corresponding with filmmakers. Moreover, the Awards Team coordinates three Watersprite mentorships aimed to spotlight undiscovered international talent and increase diversity within the film industry. We are always thinking of new ways to expand the festival - maybe your idea could be a feature of the 2027 festival!
The role of Awards officer will begin in the summer, when you will be managing the festival submissions. You will be expected to attend weekly meetings in the Autumn (Michaelmas) and Spring (Lent) terms, as well as additional whole-committee gatherings. You should also be available over the festival weekend from the 4-7th March 2027.
Key traits include:
Passion for film
Great organisational skills
Great written communication skills
Ability to work in a team
Ability to work under time pressure and manage festival work alongside academic work
Knowledge of Excel/Google Sheets is helpful, though not required
Currently we are recruiting on a rolling basis, final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
Marketing & pr Officer
As a member of the Marketing & PR Team, it is your responsibility to spread the word about Watersprite far and wide. The festival maintains an active social media presence and website, and is regularly featured in newspapers and student publications, as well as on the TV and radio in the run up to the festival. This is a role for someone keen to develop their marketing and PR skills while supporting an important creative cause. You will receive help and support from the Head of Communications as well as the Festival Director, Festival Producers and Board of Trustees.
Key traits include:
Excellent communication skills, both for external communication and internal communication - you will be working closely with Creative Design.
Willingness to understand the Watersprite brand and communicate it across many different platforms.
Excellent written English and experience proofreading and editing is a plus.
Ability to think creatively about what would make for engaging content on the website, social media and in articles and interviews.
Ability to take initiative in relation to what festival information should be widely publicised and when it is best to do this.
Ability to work under time pressure and manage festival work alongside academic work.
Willingness to learn new skills.
Any previous press and comms, social media and/or website management skills are a plus!
Currently we are recruiting on a rolling basis, final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
Our Instagram feed, curated by the Marketing and PR Team
Isabel Greenberg and Julia Jackman interviewed for the Watersprite 2026 Closing Ceremony
Events OFFICER
Events officers are responsible for producing the events programme for the festival weekend in March 2027. After brainstorming ideas collaboratively, you will have the chance to produce up to 3 of your own events. This includes deciding on your event format (e.g. panel discussion, Q+A, roundtable), approaching suitable guest speakers and meeting with them to discuss the event. You even have the opportunity to interview the speakers yourself if you wish! We offer events for both the general public and the festival's nominees.
Key traits for all roles include:
- Passion for film
- Organisational skills
- Creative approach to building a festival
- Confidence in approaching industry professionals
- Excellent command of written English
Applications considered on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
A design workshop at Creative Futures 2026
Creative Futures OFFICER
The Creative Futures Team programme a series of activities for schools and sixth-formers in the Cambridge area and streamed around the UK. In the past these have included a full day of activities, workshops and events focussed on Creative Careers, Q&As with stunt coordinators, directors, screenwriters, games designers and more. The best thing about the Education team is that you can be really creative - learning from schools, teachers and students about what they think would be the most interesting and engaging and coordinating exciting and diverse events.
We encourage applications for multiple subcommittee roles but please do let us know if you have done so. This allows us to make sure you are in the department best suited to you.
Key traits include:
Creativity in planning a varied programme of events that are interesting for a schools audience
Ability to be at ease corresponding with and meeting industry professionals
Dedication, resilience and ability to problem-solve
Meticulous attention to detail so that no element is overlooked, no matter how small.
Willingness to ask for help and advice from other members of the Student Committee and Steering Committee.
Experience managing events or working with schools and young people is an advantage!
Applications considered on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
Guests at Watersprite 2027 - featuring our Drinks Sponsor ShakaCan Cocktails
Partnerships OFFICER
Partnerships Officers:
The Partnerships Team is perfect for anyone who is persuasive and entrepreneurial, as well as passionate about film. The Partnerships team works closely with the Festival Producer in order to secure financial sponsors, prize sponsors, and in-kind (e.g. flower sponsor, food sponsor) partnerships for the festival; Watersprite has been sponsored by, and partnered with, Amazon Studios, Mubi, The Young Director Award and many many other companies and businesses. Sponsorship is the lifeblood of the festival and Watersprite is looking for those who are excited about building relationships with sponsors. This role is ideal for someone hoping to build funding for their own projects in the future (whether start-up, films or other ventures), or for people who are keen to get experience for careers that involve persuasive skill, building strong professional relationships and deal-making. We are always thinking of new ways to expand the festival – your idea could be a feature of the 2026 festival!
Key traits include:
Great written communication skills
Great organisational skills
Proactive
Ability to work in a team
Ability to work under time pressure and manage festival work alongside academic work
Passion for film
Applications considered on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
The Watersprite 2024 trailer, produced by the Video Production Team!
Video Production OFFICER
The Video Production Team is perfect for anyone who is interested in a career in Film and TV production. The team’s responsibilities cover several different aspects of filmmaking, including shooting both on location and in a studio, editing video content and live-streaming the Watersprite events across the world. As part of the team, you will have the opportunity to try out all of these, as well as developing new skills and learning to use professional equipment. It’s a great way to gain experience as part of a production crew, as you learn to coordinate with your team behind the scenes of live events and work to a brief.
Key traits include:
Passion for film
Great organisational skills
Great communication skills
Ability to work in a team
Ability to work under time pressure and manage festival work alongside academic work
Knowledge of camera & sound equipment is helpful, though not required
Applications considered on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
creative design OFFICER
Creative Design Officers
Creative Design’s biggest responsibility is the creation of the festival programme, as well as posters, flyers, merchandise and online visual branding. You will work especially closely with the Marketing & PR Team to design output for the social media, the website and for the weekend itself. This position offers excellent career experience in the creative industries for someone looking to use their design skills to support an important creative cause and have their work seen by thousands of professionals and students alike.
Key traits include:
Passion for film
Great design skills
Experience with Adobe or Canva is desired but not essential, just an eye for design!
Proactive
Ability to work in a team
Ability to work under time pressure and manage festival work alongside academic work
Applications considered on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: Sunday 11th October 2026.
The Watersprite 2026 poster
The 17th Watersprite Film Festival Committee
HEAD OF VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Watersprite is powered by a large student team who deliver the festival year-round, reaching its peak during Festival Weekend when over 80 volunteers bring the event to life across four days. The Head of Volunteer Experience is a single-person committee role responsible for championing the volunteer community and ensuring all volunteers feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
The role focuses on building community through socials and engagement initiatives, including a Launch Party and Garden Party, working with the Head of Marketing & PR and Head of Partnerships. In the lead-up to the festival, they recruit and coordinate volunteers for stewarding, ticketing, and front-of-house roles. During Festival Weekend, they oversee volunteer coordination, welfare, and provisions to ensure a positive experience for all. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about events, community engagement, and creating meaningful volunteer experiences.
Applications close 11:59 PM 26th July 2026.
Lily O’Neill and Isaac Jackson (Festival Director and Head of Awards) opening the 2025 Watersprite Awards
with Amazon MGM Studios.
Festival Director
The Festival Director is the leader of the Watersprite student team. They oversee all operations across seven departments (see below) and liaise with the Board of Trustees and Festival Producer. They determine the creative vision for the festival, meet the festival’s partners and sponsors, plan all logistics with the Festival Producer, determine the composition of the student team, and act as the face of the festival!
This is a mammoth commitment but the perfect place to gain many invaluable skills and kick start your career in any industry!
Contact producer@watersprite.org.uk with any questions whatsoever!