VOLUNTEER AT ALCHEMY FILM AND MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL 2025!

We are currently welcoming expressions of interest to join our team of volunteers and support the delivery of Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival’s fifteenth edition, which takes place 1 – 4 May. 

Our flagship event is the UK’s festival of experimental film and artists’ moving image, known for the warmth and inclusivity with which it is delivered. 

Volunteers at Alchemy range from those with existing technical or hosting expertise, to students developing their skills and experience of cultural events, to those looking for new challenges and to meet new folk. 

Depending on shift length and role, volunteers will receive access to film screenings, free meals and relevant training. 

Volunteers are welcome to commit to anything from a single shift up to the whole festival – it’s up to you! We will always take into consideration your preferences and availability, and will never expect or ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. 

Read through Alchemy’s various volunteer roles below.

VOLUNTEER TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT 

Alchemy will reimburse a ticket on Borders Bus number X95 up to the cost of for your return journey and cover other forms of transport from within the Scottish Borders. 

TRANSPORT 

The nearest train station with amenities to Hawick is Galashiels. Galashiels is reached via ScotRail’s Edinburgh Waverley-Tweedbank train. It is the penultimate stop on that service. From Galashiels, it is an additional half-hour car or bus journey to Hawick.  

Border Buses runs a regular bus, Service X95, between Edinburgh and Hawick via Galashiels (if arriving from elsewhere in Scotland), and between Carlisle and Hawick (if arriving from England). 

SIGN-UP

Sign ups to Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival 2025 are now closed.

Be the first to know about additional events and Festival updates by signing up to our mailing list.

You can find our Volunteer Policy here. You can read more about the Festival here.

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT ALCHEMY

The festival was beyond amazing and that feeling really did seem to be a universally shared one.

Alchemy treats volunteers like attendees and are incredibly hospitable.

When I was told I’d make lifelong friends from volunteering, I was sceptical and thought oh everywhere says that, but I have genuinely met many people who I think will be a truly important part of my life for a long time.

It’s very apparent the long-term relationship and connection to the town Alchemy has, and you can see the effects of the local impact. 

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the breath-taking landscape and the amazing people I encountered. It has made a lasting impression, and I can’t wait to go back and experience that atmosphere again. 

This is the most well organised festival I’ve ever been to, from the moment I stepped off the train, all the comms, hospitality; I’ve never felt so comfortable so immediately at an event. 

VOLUNTEER ROLES

Host our festival’s Welcome Desk

Be a part of everything and anything