Intern with hiff

Check back in August for more information on the upcoming season!

HOW TO APPLY

Interested in joining the HIFF internship team? Please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. We welcome applicants eager to learn, create, and grow in the film and media industry.


WHO SHOULD APPLY

Love movies? Curious about storytelling, media, and community impact? The Creative Media Internship with the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) offers a hands-on opportunity to explore film, media, and the arts while gaining professional experience and connecting with the local creative community.

Over the past 46 years, HIFF has supported filmmakers and audiences through year-round programs. This internship provides a behind-the-scenes look at how a leading nonprofit arts organization operates—from film programming and educational initiatives to community screenings and industry events. Interns collaborate closely with festival staff and engage with filmmakers, patrons, students, and arts organizations.

We’re looking for creative, motivated individuals who are eager to learn, contribute ideas, and make a meaningful impact through the arts.

Please note: This is an unpaid internship for students at least 18 years old, offering mentorship, practical skills, and real-world experience. Participants are encouraged to earn volunteer hours or academic credit through their school while contributing to exciting local projects.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Interns will support HIFF’s programming and operations for the upcoming Third Annual HIFF ‘Opio Fest this spring, as well as ongoing monthly and quarterly events. Responsibilities may include:

• Watching and rating films, including providing brief written feedback

• Providing general support for HIFF events

• Gaining public speaking experience by assisting with and delivering HIFF introductions before screenings

• Assisting with HIFF outreach and promotional efforts under staff guidance

• Helping design digital flyers, banners, and graphics for HIFF’s website and social media

• Capturing photo and video content for social media, with opportunities to learn basic editing

• Brainstorming and contributing story ideas for the HIFilm Blog and HIFF Talks Podcast

• Supporting HIFF’s Next Gen Fellows (Student Advisory Committee) 

• Assisting with education initiatives, workshops, and community programs

• Helping to organize and manage digital media files and assets

• Taking on additional projects with guidance from each department

WHERE HIFF IS LOCATED

Our office is located in the heart of Kaimukī, surrounded by some of Honolulu’s best coffee shops and eateries. It’s a great neighborhood to explore while working alongside the HIFF team.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Interest in developing professional skills in media, marketing, and arts administration

• Basic experience with photography and videography, including capturing and editing visual content

• Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) and content posting

• Comfortable using digital tools to organize, collaborate, and track projects, including Google applications (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)

• Experience creating graphics, flyers, or other visual content using Canva or similar design tools

• Ability to work collaboratively and take initiative

HIFF is a great opportunity for students or emerging creatives looking to build skills, grow their networks, and be part of Hawai‘i’s film and arts community.

To be eligible you must be a student currently enrolled in a Hawai’i college, age 18 and older, with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher, and able to support in-person.