RTBFF · 2026 Season

Call for Volunteer Interns

We Are Growing!

Rock The Boat Film Festival is a Western Australian short film and documentary festival now in its fifth year, supporting aspiring, emerging and independent filmmakers through screenings and networking events in September and a black-tie Awards Night in October.

If you are looking for hands-on experience working behind the scenes of a growing film festival and are skilled in photography, videography, video editing, event support or communications, or simply enjoy connecting with like-minded people and your community, we'd love to hear from you.

We encourage early applications.Closing date: 17 July.

This may close earlier subject to the volume received.

Volunteer Roles

Find Where You Fit Behind the Scenes

Looking to build your portfolio or gain some real event experience?

RTBFF is run with the support of a small volunteer team. Each of the roles below plays an important part in delivering the 2026 season, with multiple positions available for each role. In your application, please state whether you have your own equipment for positions 1, 2 and 3.

01 · On Location & Remote

Event Photography

Photograph festival events, including screenings, audiences, award presentations in a low-light, no-flash environment, our red-carpet and media wall, and behind-the-scenes moments, for our records and social channels.

02 · On Location & Remote

Videography

Optional film event coverage, which will include capturing networking, media wall and red-carpet moments, as well as low-light environments at screenings and the Awards Night, and interviews with filmmakers and attendees.

03 · Remote

Transcribing Submissions

Assist the festival editor in the subtitling process by transcribing short films and documentaries.

04 · On Location

Front of House & Event Support

Welcome guests and assist with check-in, ticketing and ushering across our screenings, networking events and the Awards Night, helping everything run smoothly on the night.

Schedule

Our Schedule

August to September
Primarily remote, with online coordination and assigned tasks.
September
Festival sessions in Rockingham on 12, 13, 19 and 20 September.
October
After all screenings and events we hold our red-carpet, black-tie Awards Night on 24 October.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and able to be present in Rockingham for the dates above.
Remote-only applicants for the Transcribing Submissions role do not need to be present in person. However, we'd love to see you there so you can enjoy the experience and be present to receive your certificate from us.
Benefits

What You'll Gain

Real festival experience

Build hands-on experience and portfolio work with a live community film festival.

Certificate of volunteering

Receive a certificate recognising your contribution to RTBFF's 2026 season.

Festival accreditation

Free access to enjoy the screenings and sessions you've helped support.

A supportive team

Work alongside a small, dedicated team and connect with WA's filmmaking community.

2026 Volunteer Program

Expression of Interest

Head to our contact page and include the following in your message:

Full Name
Your full name.
Email
Your email address.
Role
The position(s) you are interested in.
Experience
A brief outline of your background, relevant skills and why you would like to be part of the RTBFF 2026 team. Feel free to include your Instagram or YouTube handle, but no other external links please.
Equipment
For positions 1, 2 and 3, please let us know whether you have your own equipment.
Go to Our Contact Page

We will respond to all applications by email by 7 August. If you have not heard from us, please check your junk or spam folder.

We acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our office stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respects to their cultures, and to Elders past, present, and emerging. We extend this respect to all Indigenous language groups.