Editor of the Journal of Film Preservation

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FIAF is seeking a new Editor for its Journal of Film Preservation (JFP), which is published twice a year – generally in April and October. Articles and reviews can be submitted in English, French, or Spanish, though the majority of the texts received are in English. Each full article is accompanied by short summaries in the two other languages. The JFP is published both electronically (currently via the platform Calameo) and in print.

The Editor of the Journal of Film Preservation is responsible for the editorial content of the Journal. S/he works in close collaboration with FIAF’s Senior Administrator, who is the JFP’s Executive Publisher, as well as with the Journal’s graphic designer and with FIAF’s editorial assistant. The Editor can also rely on the support of the Editorial Board when required, and on FIAF’s specialized commissions for advice on technical topics.

The Editor’s work is fairly continuous throughout the year, especially in terms of correspondence and preparation. While the bulk of the editorial work takes place in the two to three months preceding the publication of each issue (January-March and July-September), preparation for the next issue starts long before the current one has been published. Although it is not a full-time job, a minimum availability is required throughout the year (roughly estimated at an average of one day a week, with significant variations according to the JFP’s production calendar).

Candidates must understand that the remuneration for this position (3,000 EURO per issue on a freelance basis) is not commensurate with the amount or demands of the work involved, so the JFP Editor must have a special interest and belief in FIAF and the JFP, and in the production of knowledge and debates about the past and future of the medium of the moving image. The role is best suited to a professional looking to supplement their freelance or part-time work, or those who have retired or are taking a career break but who wish to stay involved in the film preservation sector in a flexible capacity.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Editor’s responsibilities and tasks are as follows:

• Commissioning articles for the four main sections of the Journal (Open Forum, History, Archives at Work, and Reviews), as well as the optional Dossier section, and assessing the proposals or articles submitted, in consultation with the Executive Publisher and Editorial Board when appropriate
• Creating and maintaining a master table (spreadsheet) with an outline of the content of the issue (title of each text, author’s name, expected and real number of words, summaries and illustrations submitted, etc.)
• Sending prospective authors guidelines and specific requirements for their text (i.e., number of words and copy date, as well as submission of a summary, a short biography, and illustrations with captions and [cleared] credits)
• Arranging for copies (of books, DVDs, etc.) to be sent to authors of reviews and asking the publishers for illustrations for these reviews (cover and other images)
• Sending authors reminders ahead of the agreed deadlines, negotiating an extension of the deadline if required and when possible
• Negotiating revised lengths (if required and where space permits) for articles or reviews
• Adding texts, upon their receipt, to a shared drive accessible to the Executive Publisher, the graphic designer, and other members of FIAF office staff
• Checking that image files, once received, are adequate for publication; if unsure, involving the Executive Publisher and the graphic designer
• Editing the texts submitted in English (improving the structure, flow, and logic, and/or cutting if necessary), with support from the Editorial Assistant
• Organizing the editing and proofreading of texts submitted in French and Spanish
• Liaising with authors, especially about major revisions, and corresponding with them about any questions raised by the Editor or the author 
• Copy-editing and proofreading the texts submitted in English (checking for accuracy and consistency as well as identifying and fixing errors in grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation), with support from the Editorial Assistant
• Editing the summaries received and arranging for their translation into the other two FIAF languages, as well as writing or commissioning any missing summaries 
• Writing an editorial to appear at the beginning of each issue and arranging for its translation into the other two FIAF languages
• Holding regular (online) meetings with the Executive Publisher and Editorial Assistant (once a week in the weeks preceding the publication of each issue)
• Creating and maintaining stylistic guidelines specific to the JFP
• Liaising with the graphic designer and providing specific instructions for each article before integration of texts and images into the layout
• Advising the graphic designer on selection and placing of illustrations submitted by authors
• Checking the first proof PDF file once it has been created by the graphic designer, examining it thoroughly and suggesting corrections and modifications via notes directly in the PDF; subsequently checking every new version of the proof created by the designer, with support from the Executive Publisher and Editorial Assistant
• Approving the final proof to be sent to the printer, in conjunction with the Executive Publisher
• Providing the FIAF Secretariat with a current physical address for each author to which their complimentary print copies should be sent
• Writing an Editorial Report to the FIAF Executive Committee before every EC meeting (twice a year) and a similar brief report for the JFP section of each issue of the FIAF Bulletin Online (twice a year)
• Arranging at least one (in-person or online) meeting of the Editorial Board a year, and more if required

Qualifications, Skills & Commitments

Essential 

• The vast majority of JFP articles are in English. The JFP Editor must therefore not only be a native or fully fluent English speaker, but also have a proven record of excellent writing skills in this language
• A perfectionist's eye for detail
• Top-level copy-editing and proofreading skills (grammar, punctuation, and phrasing, covering every minute detail from the texts and footnotes to captions), in English in particular
• The ability to style contributors’ English texts, while, as far as possible, keeping each author’s own sense and style
• Good knowledge of the major British and American English style guides
• The ability to work to deadlines under pressure, from commissioning right up to the very last stage of the layout
• Diplomacy, tact, and discretion 
• A wide knowledge of film history and all aspects of the archiving field—film preservation, restoration, documentation, access, etc.—and familiarity with FIAF and the FIAF network
• Commitment to staying informed about the latest developments in the field
• Greater availability at certain times of the JFP calendar (i.e., January–March and August–October)

Desirable 

• Good knowledge of written French and/or Spanish
• Knowledge of style guides in French and Spanish
• The ability and willingness to travel to major events in the field (FIAF Congresses, major film heritage festivals, etc.)

Recruitment process

Should you be interested in applying for this position, please email your CV (highlighting in particular your editorial experience) and a covering letter to the JFP’s Executive Publisher Christophe Dupin (c.dupin@fiafnet.org) by Sunday 25 October 2026.

Ideally, the new JFP Editor could start by 1 January 2027, but this can be negotiated depending on the selected candidate’s availability.

If you have any further questions about the position, please don't hesitate to contact Christophe Dupin at c.dupin@fiafnet.org.