IFFK: People who work behind the scenes for the smooth conduct of the annual film festival in Thiruvananthapuram

Volunteers have an important role to play in the conduct of the International Film Festival of Kerala, which will be on till December 16 in Thiruvananthapuram

IFFK is the buzzword for the next eight days in the city as the 27th International Film Festival of Kerala kicks off today. With over 15,000 film buffs expected to turn up to enjoy movies from around the globe, the work is cut out for hundreds of people who work behind the scenes.

Among them are 150 theatre volunteers, 90 guest relations and hospitality volunteers, 40 volunteers in the delegate cell, 15 in the media cell, and 20 who will be compering at the theatres. Youngsters form the majority, with most of them pursuing various courses or are just out of college.

The guest relations and hospitality volunteers have multiple roles to play — starting from receiving guests at the airport and dropping them to their respective hotels, to taking them to the venues. Apart from individual volunteers, there is a separate group called “runners” that is always on their toes. In addition to this, there are 10 volunteers exclusively for the members of the jury.

“We are the face of the festival and so it is our duty to welcome each guest with a smile,” says Samagra Kijan Preethy, who is on airport duty during daytime, and works the night shift for a company in Technopark. “I have always wanted to be part of the festival...I didn’t want to let go of this chance at any cost,” she says.

Rashna Rafeek is among the dozen students from Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) who are part of the volunteering team. “I want my first experience as a volunteer to be the best,” she says.

An MBA graduate from Alappuzha, Rachel Johnson, a volunteer for six years now, says the festival has been a life-changing experience for her. “It is the energy that brings me here each year. Also, I have learned a lot about films and filmmaking. I have had the opportunity to attend to [director] Aparna Sen and watch her movies with her.” For Jomon Jacob, another veteran volunteer, the memorable moment was hosting director-producer Anurag Kashyap last year.

Trivi Art Concerns has been handling guest relations for IFFK for the 10th year in a now. Bandhu Prasad, Arts and festival manager of Trivi, says, “We received 627 applications out of which 500 were interviewed. Even though some of them have been volunteers before, they also had to apply to get selected. Volunteers have a huge responsibility of making these guests feel at home. Even though they have been trained not to lose their cool if a guest is unhappy, they can take the matter to the officials if things get out of hand.”