Opportunities at Cork International Film Festival

FESTIVAL PR ASSISTANT (4 Month Contract)
Application Deadline: Thursday 20th August 2026

Join the team behind Ireland’s first and largest film festival.

Do you know the Cork media landscape inside out? Are you an experienced communications professional looking for an opportunity to work on one of Ireland’s leading cultural events?

Cork International Film Festival is seeking a Festival PR Assistant to join our Marketing & Communications team in the lead-up to the 71st Festival this November. Working closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications and our national PR agency, you’ll play a key role in delivering the Festival’s regional publicity campaign, helping to generate media coverage, build relationships with local journalists, and tell the stories behind an internationally recognised Festival.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong writing skills, excellent media contacts, and a passion for creating engaging publicity campaigns. You’ll gain hands-on experience working across a major international arts event while making a real impact on how the Festival connects with audiences across Cork and Munster.

Key Responsibilities

• Write compelling press releases, media pitches and publicity materials tailored for Cork and Munster media.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional journalists, broadcasters and media outlets.
• Coordinate media enquiries and local interviews.
• Support Festival photo calls and press events.
• Maintain press databases, compile media lists and monitor press coverage.
• Work closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications and the Festival’s PR agency to deliver an integrated publicity campaign.
• Collaborate with colleagues across programming, partnerships and audience development to identify and promote compelling Festival stories.

About You

• At least three years’ experience in a communications, PR or media role.
• A strong understanding of the Cork and Munster media landscape (existing relationships with Cork and Munster media outlets are highly desirable).
• An excellent writer, able to craft engaging content for different audiences and platforms.
• Highly organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident building relationships and representing the Festival with professionalism.
• Experience and interest in arts, culture or live events is desirable, but not essential.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following to jobs@corkfilmfest.org by Thursday 20th August. 

1. A short cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your suitability and interest in the role
2. A current CV
3. Contact details for two referees 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview (online) Tuesday 25th August 2026. Please note this position will be an immediate start.

CIFF is an equal opportunities employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented or marginalised communities. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know.