Cinequest, the Silicon Valley film festival that opened in downtown San Jose, has been run by volunteers for 35 years. Volunteers, who serve as ushers and box office at the California Theatre and Hammer Theatre Center, introduce screenings, conduct question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers afterwards and escort Maverick Spirit Award winners during the festival. Cinequest’s co-founder and CEO, Halfdan Hussey, said the festival empowers people through elevated storytelling, innovation and a caring community. Volunteers like Janet Hebert started as an audience member in 2007 and later helped train other speakers, conduct Q&A sessions and introduce movies. Nick Givechi, a first-time filmmaker, first volunteered in 2020 and returned as a volunteer when the in-person festival returned in 2024.