Opportunities at Cork International Film Festival
CIFF is seeking an Audience Development Researcher
CIFF is seeking an Audience Development Researcher to shape and deliver a focused fixed term research project that will inform a coordinated, long-term strategy for audience growth for CIFF.
This role is not simply about collecting data. It is about generating clear, actionable insight that will shape how the Festival understands, engages, and grows its audiences, current and potential. The successful candidate will lead a structured research process – combining data analysis, qualitative engagement, and strategic interpretation – to identify opportunities for broadening participation and strengthening audience relationships.
The successful candidate will be experienced in collecting and analysing audience data and trends, conducting focus groups and have the necessary skills to generate insights for organisations and/or the arts & culture sector.
The Audience Development Researcher will design the research framework in consultation with the Festival team, and manage data collection and solicit feedback from identified target groups (existing and potential) referencing a wide range of programmes & strands – industry events (filmmakers), the Festival programme (audiences), accessibility & EDI (audiences, filmmakers, stakeholders), sustainability (internal & external stakeholders) & young people’s projects (beneficiaries).
In addition to CIFF’s internal research, the Audience Development Researcher will engage with local sectoral groups (e.g. Screen Cork, Arc Cinema, etc.), and via the national reach of the Cultural Cinema Partnership (CCP)* to support shared audience research across the sector. The role will contribute to shared learning across the Cultural Cinema Partnership, supporting sector-wide understanding of barriers to participation and strategies for widening access to cinema audiences in Ireland. The role will help develop a framework for collecting and analysing audience data, and facilitate collaboration to generate cross-sector insights.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- Manage the research design and planning
- Devise and articulate core research questions in collaboration with the Festival team
- Design effective research methodology (qualitative and quantitative)
- Establish a clear project plan, timeline, and defined outputs
- Data Collection & Analysis:
- Analyse existing audience data (ticketing, demographics, attendance patterns, etc.);
- Identify trends, gaps, and areas for further investigation;
- Design and deliver audience surveys where appropriate
- Qualitative Research
- Initiate contact and manage and facilitate focus groups and interviews with participant groups/ audience communities and individuals from wide range of programmes, strands, partner groups
- Ensure inclusive and accessible approaches to participant recruitment
- Identify structural, cultural, and practical barriers to participation and engagement, and translate findings into recommendations that actively support more equitable access to CIFF programmes.
- Insight Generation and Reporting
- Conduct thematic analysis of qualitative and quantitative findings
- Synthesize data into clear insights
- Identify distinct audience segments, behaviours, and needs
- Work in partnership with the Head of Marketing and Communications and Head of Development to develop sectoral report for dissemination
- Develop practical, prioritised recommendations for audience development strategy and action plan
- Present findings to internal/external stakeholders in an accessible and engaging format
- Ensure engagement formats are accessible and inclusive across in-person and digital settings
- Attend meetings with Cultural Cinema Partnership (CCP) where required (may require travel in Ireland) and local/regional groups as required
- Efficiently manage the administrative functions associated with the role including reporting, coordinating and communicating with target groups and the CCP
- Represent the Festival in a professional manner.
Key information about this role:
- Independent Contract role
- Duration: Immediate start until December 2026
- 2 days per week (flexible, to be agreed in consultation with CIFF)
- Indicative working hours are 9.30am–5.30pm on contracted days, with flexibility required depending on project needs, events, and stakeholder availability.
- CIFF is based in Cork City, with flexibility for hybrid and remote desk based work. However, the role will require in person attendance in Cork City and County for workshops, stakeholder engagement, and Festival activity as required.
- Fee: €160 per day (2 days per week equivalent)
Application:
Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest and suitability for the role. Email to jobs@corkfilmfest.org, with Audience Development Researcher the subject line. The closing date for applications is Friday 22nd May, 5.00pm.
Short-listing of candidates will be on the basis of the information contained in their CV and covering letter.
Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an online interview on Friday 29th May.
Commencement of the role is as soon as possible.
PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS ABOUT THIS APPLICATION.
CIFF Welcomes Expressions of Interest to join its Board in 2026
Position: Board Director (Trustee)
Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) is welcoming expressions of interest to join its Board in 2026. CIFF is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Board members are Trustees of the charity, and are responsible for the governance of the organisation. Their primary duties focus on strategic planning, financial oversight and policy development. As a governance board, directors are not involved in programming or operational matters, which are delegated to the Executive.
About Cork International Film Festival
Cork International Film Festival is Ireland’s first and largest film festival and one of Cork’s most significant and popular annual cultural events. The Festival is a local, national and international celebration of cinema, running annually in venues and online in November. Award-winning films from the international film festival circuit, new discoveries, and cinema classics are selected by our experienced curatorial team to premiere in cinemas in Cork and be screened online via the Festival Digital Platform, available to viewers nationwide.
The Festival presents 12 awards, including the CIFF Best New Irish Feature Award, proudly supported by the Irish Examiner. Its awards for Grand Prix Irish Short, Grand Prix International Short and Grand Prix Documentary Short Award are Academy Award®-qualifying, ensuring that the winners in Cork automatically join the Oscars®’ long list.
The Festival gratefully acknowledges the significant support of Principal Funder, The Arts Council, together with the funding support of its Official Industry Partner, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland; Cork City Council (Arts Office); Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Creative Europe Media; Coimisiún na Meán; Culture Ireland; and HSE. Media Partners are RTÉ Supporting the Arts and Irish Examiner. The Festival is also supported by sponsors, including Murphy’s, Redbreast, Future Planet, VTSL, Kearys, Olytico, and education partnerships with UCC and MTU. The Festival also gratefully acknowledges philanthropic support from Rethink Ireland, The Ireland Funds, Tomar Trust, and members of the Festival’s Directors’ Circle; and support from a range of Corporate Supporters and Festival Friends.
Cork International Film Festival CLG is governed by the Board of Directors, who support the Executive, led by Festival Director and CEO, Fiona Clark. A core year-round staff of eight full-time and one part-time is supplemented by 40+ seasonal staff and contractors, and 120+ volunteers to support the delivery of the annual Festival in November. The senior management team comprises: Aurélie Godet, Director of Programming, Deirdre O’Reilly, Head of Marketing and Communications, and Michelle Reid, Head of Development.
Our Purpose:
We champion the power of film to tell important stories that transform how we see the world.
Our Mission:
To present Ireland’s most exciting and ambitious annual film festival, connecting audiences and artists to create transformational experiences. Rooted in Cork, we select the best films from around the world to tell diverse and relevant stories, accessible and inclusive to all.
Our Vision:
To impact our community by activating the power of film to tell important stories, nurturing the filmmakers and film lovers of the future, and spotlighting Cork as a global city of culture and sanctuary.
Strategic Priorities 2026 -2028:
- Imagine: We will present Ireland’s most imaginative, compelling and exciting film festival by curating a rich and diverse programme that excites audiences of all ages, champions filmmakers, and showcases the evolution of the art form
- Engage: We will amplify our profile as Ireland’s premier film festival, engaging and growing our diverse communities, by creating opportunities to access and be activated by film
- Invest: We will increase and broaden our sources of income and build our capacity to facilitate the sustainable growth and evolution of the Festival
Why Join Our Board?
- CIFF is a registered charity and non-profit organisation that seeks the skills and experience of a diverse volunteer Board to support the delivery of its ambitions
- You will have a varied and interesting engagement with a leading arts & cultural organisation
- You will have opportunities to experience and participate in the Festival first-hand
- You will play a part in celebrating and developing Ireland’s oldest and largest film festival which will deliver its 71st edition in November 2026
What do our Board members do?
The Board of Cork International Film Festival is responsible for overseeing the strategic development of the organisation, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are in place to manage any risks to its operation and success. The Board also looks to:
- Ensure the organisation’s activities align with its established vision, mission and values
- Engage in strategic planning and the setting of annual goals and priorities
- Provide support and high-level oversight to the Executive
- Financial oversight and internal controls
- Support fundraising through shared access to networks
The Commitment of our Board:
- Prepare for, attend and participate in approximately six board meetings a year and our annual Board Strategy Away Day. Meetings are scheduled in advance for the year to enable maximum attendance (in person and online)
- Act as an ambassador for Cork International Film Festival in the community and open their network to encourage wider engagement and support
- We encourage our Board to fully engage in the Festival and our year-round events
Term of office:
Directors serve for a term of three years and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Qualifications:
The CIFF Board members have a diverse array of professional skills and experience. We are currently interested in candidates with senior-level experience in:
- the Legal sector
- Film Industry (domestic and international)
- Business Development (fundraising)
- Cork Business/Civic representation
- Tourism & Hospitality sector
- Previous not-for-profit Board experience is also desirable
To Apply:
Expressions of interest are welcomed by submitting an application letter for the attention of our Chair, Cian Blackwell, ℅ the Chief Executive: fiona@corkfilmfest.org, with the subject line ‘Board Member Application’.
Your letter should outline your interest in the Festival and what skills and experience you would bring to the CIFF Board. Please provide details of relevant experience, any service as a Board Director, Trustee or other arts/voluntary/community organisation, or commercial organisation, together with a short resumé.
Please note the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, 29th May 2026.
Following submission of your application, if the Festival would like to take your application further, you will be contacted in the first instance by Chair Cian Blackwell by telephone. You will then be invited to an interview.
Cork International Film Festival is an equal-opportunity organisation, committed to reflecting our community’s diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
