Firelight Films Internship Program (Spring 2026)

FIRELIGHT FILMS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Mission:

Firelight Films is a documentary production company founded by Emmy-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson. Firelight Films' productions include the Oscar-nominated Attica for Showtime, Crack: Cocaine, Corruption, and Conspiracy for Netflix, and The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, We Want the Funk, and Sun Ra: Do the Impossible for PBS. Firelight Films has several documentary projects in development and production, slated for release in the coming years. To learn more, visit firelightfilms.tv.

Internship Program:

It is Firelight's mission to mentor our interns and equip them with the skills and experience to become the next generation of film, media, and arts administration professionals. Our internship program will provide dedicated and driven participants with the opportunity to assist our Firelight Films teams on a variety of projects, depending on their area of interest. Opportunities include the production and development of documentary film projects.

Overall Intern Tasks and Activities:

• Orientation - All interns will be invited to attend a group orientation session to learn about Firelight’s work and meet staff and fellow interns across all departments.
• Weekly Check-ins – Interns will be supported via weekly check-ins with department staff.
• Evaluations – Interns will be provided with a mid-term evaluation as well as a final evaluation from their direct supervisor(s) upon request.
• Lunch and Learn – Interns will participate in a series of lunches/meetings about different topics related to documentary production and arts administration.
• Masterclasses with Stanley Nelson – Interns will be invited to attend a series of Masterclasses with Stanley Nelson and other leading documentary filmmakers to gain insight into the field of documentary filmmaking and humanities scholarship.

Firelight Films Production Intern Role Description

Production interns in documentary filmmaking often play crucial roles in supporting the pre-production, production, and post-production stages. Here’s a breakdown of typical responsibilities for each phase: 

Pre-Production:

In the planning stage, production interns assist in organizing and preparing for the shoot. Key tasks often include: 

1. Researching: Gathering information on the documentary subject, potential interviewees, and filming locations. 

2. Organizing Documents: Assisting with permits, release forms, and other legal paperwork. 

3. Assisting in Scheduling: Helping to create call sheets, shoot schedules, and coordinating with crew members. 

4. Sourcing Equipment: Coordinating with rental houses or maintaining an inventory list for the gear needed. 

5. Location Scouting: Assisting in scouting locations or researching suitable sites. 

6. Managing Communications: Reaching out to contacts, interview subjects, or experts and organizing any pre-interviews. 

Production 

During filming, production interns often work on-set, supporting the crew and ensuring smooth operations: 

1. Assisting with Setup and Breakdown: Helping set up equipment, lights, and sound gear, and ensuring everything is safely packed up at the end of the day. 

2. Logging Shots: Taking notes on each shot, including duration, quality, and any issues, to simplify editing. 

3. Handling Props and Wardrobe: Organizing props, wardrobe items, and maintaining continuity throughout the shoot. 

4. Managing Production Paperwork: Keeping track of call sheets, shot lists, and release forms, ensuring they’re completed and organized. 

5. Supporting the Director and Producers: Providing coffee, running errands, or helping with any other small but necessary tasks. 

6. Serving as a Production Assistant: Performing general PA duties like controlling crowd noise, running errands, and making on-set arrangements. 

Post-Production 

Once shooting wraps, production interns often assist in the editing phase and preparation for final output: 

1. Organizing and Logging Footage: Reviewing and organizing raw footage and helping to create metadata for easier access by editors. 

2. Basic Editing Support: Assisting editors with small edits, sorting b-roll footage, or creating rough cuts if skilled in editing software. 

3. Transcribing Interviews: Listening to recorded interviews and creating transcripts that will be referenced in editing. 

4. Selecting Sound and Music: Researching and selecting appropriate royalty-free music or sound effects. 

5. Quality Control: Watching and checking for any visual or audio errors in the edited video. 

6. Assisting in Distribution Prep: Preparing video files for online platforms, adding captions, or helping with social media promotional materials. In all phases, the role requires flexibility and a readiness to assist wherever needed. Documentary production is often fast-paced and evolving, so production interns need to be adaptable and proactive to support the team effectively.

Program Requirements 

Interns are given the option to work two or more full days per week (Mon-Fri), or a minimum of 15 hours per week .

NOTE: Internships will be conducted in a hybrid format for local candidates, with the option to come onsite to the main corporate office if approved. Interns who desire to work occasionally on-site at Firelight’s headquarters in Harlem, NYC, or at special film screenings and events should indicate this in their cover letter. 

Next Steps 

If you’re interested in learning more about documentary filmmaking and gaining hands-on experience, Firelight Films might be the place for you! 

Send your cover letter and resume to the internships@firelightmedia.org email address with the subject “Firelight Films Production Internship”, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. For general inquiries about Firelight’s internship opportunities, please write to internships@firelightmedia.org.