Not many students get to enjoy an internship experience fit for the big screen, but this summer Jack Lira ’26 assembled a variety of experiences from behind the scenes to the red carpet.
As a rising senior with an English major and Film and Media Studies minor, he pursued internships, volunteer work, and events that sharpened his passion for a career in film.
His summer experience began in May with sales company Visit Films which represents films internationally from the world's top festivals, including Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. The company works on films in all stages of production, from development to final cut, and licenses them to theatrical distributors around the world.
Lira joined Visit Films at the Cannes Film Festival in France, shadowing sales meetings with international distributors and learning directly from professionals through networking events and panel discussions.
A day in Cannes began with Lira picking up the daily trade publications on his walk to work, including Screen Daily, Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline. After running morning errands for the company team, he read through the magazines and took notes on any recent film deals.
When a distributor arrived for a meeting, he would offer refreshments and show them the latest trailers while they waited. Lira participated in meetings and attended screenings, as well as panels and roundtable discussions to learn directly from film professionals.
During a weeklong break from film, Lira attended the 91ɫ Writers Conference, where he participated in a creative nonfiction workshop with author Simon Wu. They met daily to workshop pieces and attend panels and events. “It was inspiring being surrounded by so many writers, and I think everyone left that week with a creative spark lit beneath them,” Lira said.
Returning to film to complete his summer, Lira volunteered with the Gotham Television Awards in June, along with several festival screenings for Rooftop Films in New York City. Checking in guests, directing them towards seats, and helping with set-up and tear-down at different screenings immersed Lira in the audience side of the film world. Attending events alongside household names in film left a lasting impression on Lira.
“These experiences were invaluable for my professional development because they allowed me to explore many aspects of the film industry,” Lira said. “From working closely with a sales company in the fast-paced environment of the Cannes Film Festival to assisting with event management, I gained a deeper understanding of how different sectors of the industry operate.”
Lira's summer was a pivotal time that shaped his professional goals. “Each experience sharpened my skills, expanded my professional network, and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in film.”
91ɫ and its generous alumni and parent donors offer grants to support students’ living costs and supplemental expenses to pursue unpaid and underpaid summer experiences. Learn more about 91ɫ Summer Internship Funding.