| Reports to | Executive Board, Documentary Association of Europe |
| Engagement type | Freelance (self-employed) |
| Location | Remote / hybrid in Berlin, based within Europe; regular travel to festivals, markets, and partner events |
| Term | Initial term of 12 months, renewable by mutual agreement |
| Time commitment | 3 days per week, to be confirmed with the Executive Board |
| Fee | 1200 eur per month* *not including other fees for projects and/or other engagements which may be calculated on top of this basis fee. |
The Organisation
The Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) is the pan-European membership body representing documentary filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals. With currently close to 900 individual members, DAE members span the whole sector, from the most independent film professional to established production companies, and European documentary institutions such as festivals, markets, training initiatives, and national associations and guilds.
While the association has Europe in its name, members come from around the world and are transnationals with a shared interest in collaboration and exchange beyond national borders. In addition to its membership base, DAE has a solid network of partners also expanding outside the documentary industry including major A-list festivals and markets, film collectives and support organisations, as well as non-film-related NGOs and organisations.
In the lobbying and advocacy work, DAE champions the creative, cultural, and economic interests of documentary practitioners across the continent, advocating for supportive policy, funding, and distribution conditions while fostering collaboration, professional development, and cross-border exchange within the sector.
Role Summary
The Programme Director is the creative and strategic lead for DAE’s content, including the association’s lobbying and advocacy work, and is the spokesperson of the organisation. With a deep understanding of the members they represent, they will set the vision for what the Association makes, curates, and platforms in its advocacy work and across events, publications, and member-facing activities.
Engaged on a freelance basis and working closely with the Executive Board, the Programme Director shapes DAE’s editorial and artistic direction, curates its flagship programmes, and ensures the association’s output reflects the breadth and ambition of European documentary practice, while keeping sight of its international reach and the many non-European members who are part of DAE’s transnational community. They should be able to identify and follow up on strategic partners and fundraising opportunities to contribute to strengthening the association in its sustainability.
This is a senior creative-leadership role suited to someone with a first and foremost interest in advocacy and lobbying, including a solid understanding of how Creative Europe MEDIA and media-political lobbying on a EU level work, alongside deep editorial judgement, a strong sector network, and the ability to translate vision into a deliverable programme.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy & Policy
- Participate in the community building of the membership organisation and represent the interests of the members.
- Participate in high-level discussions and actively contribute to European film policy, including engagement with Creative Europe MEDIA and related funding frameworks.
- Cultivate relationships with cultural policymakers (EC officials, politicians with a focus on culture, etc)
- Represent DAE’s positions in advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of the European documentary sector.
- Act as DAE’s spokesperson in policy matters (including panel appearances, media interviews, statements and press releases on issues critical to the sector)
Strategic & Creative Vision
- Define and own DAE’s overall programme vision and editorial direction, aligned with the Association’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Set annual and multi-year content themes, priorities, and curatorial standards across all DAE programmes.
- Advise the Executive Board on emerging trends, artistic movements, and shifts in the European documentary landscape that should shape DAE’s direction.
- Ensure DAE’s programming reflects the diversity of voices, forms, and geographies across the European documentary sector.
Programme Curation & Delivery
- Curate and oversee delivery of DAE’s flagship programmes, including programmes, partnerships, talks, and screenings.
- Set and uphold quality and curatorial standards across all programme strands, working with freelance curators, producers, and moderators as needed.
- Ensure programmes are delivered on time, on budget, and in line with the agreed creative vision.
- Represent DAE’s creative vision publicly at festivals, conferences, and partner events.
Content Strategy & Partnerships
- Work with the Executive Board to identify funding and sponsorship opportunities aligned with programme priorities.
- Shape DAE’s content strategy across publications, digital channels, and member communications, ensuring editorial coherence with the wider programme.
- Develop co-programming partnerships with festivals, broadcasters, and allied associations across Europe.
Collaboration & Team Leadership
- Ensure programme vision aligns with organisational strategy, budget, and capacity.
- Brief and manage freelance curators, producers, and contributors delivering elements of the programme.
- Report on programme development, outcomes, and audience/member feedback to the Executive Board as required.
Person Specification
Essential
- Substantial experience in documentary film, broadcasting, or festival programming, with a track record of shaping creative or editorial direction.
- Familiarity with EU cultural policy and funding programmes (e.g. Creative Europe MEDIA), and other relevant media-politically relevant policy frameworks.
- Proven experience representing organisations and interest groups in public consultations, coalitions, campaigns, or broader public affairs activities, including drafting policy position papers.
- Strong curatorial judgement and a clear point of view on the European documentary landscape first and foremost, but also its international dimensions, forms, and emerging voices.
- Proven ability to translate a strategic vision into a deliverable, well-received programme.
- Excellent relationship-building skills across filmmakers, commissioners, festivals, and funders.
- Experience briefing and managing freelance curators, producers, or contributors.
- Fluent professional English; additional European languages an advantage in particular French and German.
- Willingness and ability to travel (up to once per month/twice per quarter).
- Eligible to work on a self-employed/contract basis within the EU.
Desirable
- Existing network of contacts among European documentary filmmakers, festivals, and commissioners.
- Experience curating or programming for a festival, conference, or membership association.
- An existing network of relevant official contacts (e.g. in Brussels) and/or prior experience in cultural policy or within a film institution.
Benefits
This is more than a job. It is a mandate to champion European documentary practice at a critical moment for the sector, and a calling for someone who wants to put their expertise, network, and vision to work on its behalf.
- Meaningful impact: the chance to shape the creative and advocacy direction of the leading pan-European body for documentary film, and the opportunity to support a six-year-old transnational organisation into its next chapter.
- International exposure: regular travel to major European and international festivals, markets, and partner events, and access to DAE’s extensive international network of festivals, funders, and industry partners.
- Autonomy: significant creative and curatorial freedom to define and deliver DAE’s programme vision.
- Organisational support: a healthy administrative base, working alongside an experienced team, and executive board.
- Flexible working: remote/hybrid arrangement with access to a multi-purpose office in Berlin, with the flexibility of a self-employed/contract structure.
- Professional growth: the opportunity to build a high-level profile within European cultural policy and the international documentary community.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining relevant experience, motivation and vision for the role to vacancies@dae-europe.org, by August 5. Please include details of your availability.
