Like You Children's Film Festival 2025

Volunteering at the Like You Film Festival was a very fulfilling experience. During my service, I developed a new sense of communication while interacting with guests and other volunteers. I worked concessions, a role I had never taken on before, which allowed me to acquire a new skill. I learned a lot about the community of filmmakers and their passion for their craft, as well as the joy of seeing kids channel their energy into something so special. I formed new connections with my fellow volunteers, and we got to know each other well during the four hours we spent together. My service contributed to the organization by playing a small part in the event’s success. In the future, I would consider being a floater to gain experience in every role rather than just one.

While volunteering at the Like You Children’s Film Festival, I strengthened my communication skills. Scanning tickets required me to greet guests, answer questions quickly, and stay organized during rush periods. I also learned how to manage a steady flow of people while still being friendly, which helped me feel more comfortable interacting with everyone.
This event also taught me how important creative spaces are for children and the community. Seeing one of the filmmakers proudly watch his film on the screen surrounded by people supporting him showed me how impactful events like this can be for a child’s confidence. It also helped me understand that even small roles, like scanning tickets, contribute to the overall experience and make the event run smoothly.
I worked with one other volunteer during this event, and having him there made the experience much smoother and more enjoyable. We communicated during rush periods to keep the lines moving, took turns scanning during the smaller showings, and kept each other company once the films started. Working with a partner helped me realize how much community events depend on teamwork and clear communication to be successful.
By quickly scanning tickets and helping guide guests, I helped create an organized and positive environment that supported the festival’s mission of celebrating children’s creativity. The staff gave clear instructions and were very supportive, which made my experience even better. I would consider volunteering here again because I really enjoyed working in a positive and creative environment.
One unexpected challenge was that some of the tickets wouldn’t scan properly. It happened during a busy moment, which was overwhelming at first, but instead of panicking, I asked the guest to pull up their tickets on their phones instead of using their badge. It took a few extra seconds, but I was able to keep the line moving.