Volunteering – FAQ

My availability has changed—what now?

If your availability has changed, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing wolontariat@nowehoryzonty.pl.

Full availability throughout your department’s period of activity—from training and organizational meetings to the final day of the festival—is essential. This was also one of the main criteria for selecting volunteer candidates.

Why is this so important? New Horizons volunteers work according to a schedule set during the organizational meeting with their coordinator and fellow team members. Most departments operate in a two-shift system (so you’ll have half the day free), but in some areas, the schedule is more flexible and depends on guest agendas, interview times, and other dynamic elements. Tasks rely heavily on the knowledge gained during training and the experience you build up each day. Coordinating everyone's shifts alongside screenings, events, and guest visits is a major logistical undertaking—and unfortunately, we’re not able to arrange separate meetings or training for substitutes. We also want the division of duties to be fair, ensuring all volunteers contribute similar hours and enjoy a comparable amount of free time.

Volunteering only on weekends or part-time is not possible. If a volunteer is absent, their position remains unfilled, which puts pressure on the rest of the team—something we really want to avoid.

So, if your availability has changed, please let us know as soon as possible. This gives us time to consult with your coordinator and, if necessary, offer the spot to someone from the reserve list who’s eagerly waiting for the opportunity.

If it turns out you can no longer take part, we encourage you to join us as a festivalgoer and apply again next year. Letting us know in advance won’t affect your chances of being selected as a volunteer in future editions.

I’m available during the festival but will miss a training session or meeting—what now? Can I make up for it?

Each training session and meeting covers different aspects of the volunteer experience, so it’s important that everyone attends as many as possible. The most essential dates are listed in the email confirming your participation—please mark them in your calendar and plan accordingly.

Missing a meeting or training session won’t disqualify you from volunteering. However, we want to stress that these gatherings are your best opportunity to get familiar with your department’s responsibilities, meet your coordinator and teammates, and ask questions in a calm and focused setting. Once the festival begins, things move quickly and there won’t be time to revisit all the details. The organizational meeting with your coordinator is especially important—it’s when your schedule and tasks will be finalized. Training sessions are packed with practical knowledge that will help you not only during the festival, but also in future professional situations. That’s why your attendance is strongly encouraged and mutually beneficial.

If you already know that you’ll need to miss a meeting or training session, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing wolontariat@nowehoryzonty.pl.

Can I change departments?

At the moment, all positions in all departments are filled. A department change is only possible if someone else withdraws—but we can’t guarantee that this will happen. When assigning volunteers to departments, we did our best to match your preferences indicated in the application. However, because each department has a limited number of spots—some extremely limited—we weren’t always able to fulfill everyone’s first choice. In those cases, we carefully considered your skills and, based on our experience and knowledge of each role, placed you where we believe you'll thrive and contribute most effectively. We encourage you to embrace the department you've been assigned to—it might turn out to be an unexpected but rewarding adventure! All departments are interesting and play a vital role in making the festival happen. :)

That said, if you feel that your assignment was a serious mismatch, please get in touch with us at wolontariat@nowehoryzonty.pl. If a spot opens up, we’ll let you know—but keep in mind that this may only happen shortly before the festival, or not at all. Also, if you decide not to continue with your current assignment, please inform us as soon as possible so we can offer the spot to someone from the reserve list.

Can volunteering count as a student internship?

All volunteers receive a signed agreement and a certificate of completion from the festival organizers. The certificate includes your department, a list of tasks, and the average number of hours worked per day. Many universities accept these documents for internship credit. If your university requires additional paperwork—such as a practice log documenting your hours—please discuss this with your coordinator after the first organizational meeting. Once the log is complete, it must be submitted for signature no later than two days before the end of the festival.

If your school requires a bilateral internship agreement, please email us the university’s template for approval in advance. During the festival, you'll need to bring two identical copies already signed by your university.

Can you help with accommodation or meals?

Unfortunately, due to the large number of volunteers (over 200!), we’re unable to provide accommodation or meals during the festival.

That said, there are plenty of hostels and guesthouses near the New Horizons Cinema—many are popular with other volunteers and festival guests. You’ll find a list of partner hotels and hostels—as well as recommended restaurants offering discounts for festival participants, including volunteers—on our website under the Festival tab.

Volunteers also receive a discount at the cinema bistro. Full details will be shared during the organizational meeting.

Is there a dress code for volunteers?

There’s no official uniform—volunteers don’t wear special T-shirts or any required clothing. You're welcome to come to your shifts in whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident.

However, keep in mind that some tasks may involve running up and down stairs, bending, lifting, or carrying materials between locations. During breaks, you might be sitting on a bean bag, a bench—or even the floor! So we recommend practical, casual clothing that allows freedom of movement. There’s no need to dress up—everyday attire suitable for school, university, or casual work environments is perfect. Comfortable shoes are a must, and it’s a good idea to bring a sweater or hoodie in case of cooler evenings or strong air conditioning.

Can volunteers watch films at the festival?

Absolutely! When you're off duty, you’re welcome to attend film screenings and festival events of your choice. Your volunteer ID allows you to attend over 30 screenings, and you can secure your seat just like other participants or guests—via the festival’s online booking system.

Keep in mind, though, that even when you're off the clock, we ask volunteers to stay alert and help maintain the quality of the experience. That might mean quietly noting any technical issues or lending a hand if someone nearby needs assistance.

In rare cases, you might be called in for an extra task on short notice, so please keep your phone charged, check messages regularly, and during screenings, mute your phone rather than turning it off completely.

How can I obtain a certificate of volunteer work?

After the festival, every volunteer will receive a bilingual certificate of participation (in Polish and English). You can collect the document in person on the last day of the festival. If that’s not possible, don’t worry—it will be sent to you by email within three months after the festival ends.