WHAT IS FULL FRAME? Full Frame is an annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of non-fiction cinema. Each spring we welcome filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to historic downtown Durham, North Carolina for a four-day, morning to midnight array of 100 films as well as discussions, panels, and southern hospitality. The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is a program of the Center for Documentary Studies (a non-profit, 501c3) at Duke University.

CAN ANYONE ATTEND, OR IS IT FOR FILMMAKERS ONLY? Full Frame is open to everyone - filmmakers and film lovers alike.

HOW MANY FILMS DO YOU SHOW? Full Frame screens around 100 films for our annual festival. Films are usually followed by a discussion with the director or subject. These Q&A sessions are a highlight of Full Frame.

WHEN DOES THE SCHEDULE COME OUT? The schedule and film descriptions will be online and in print on March 22.

WHERE CAN I GET A SCHEDULE?  The film schedule will be online for view or download here on Full Frame's website, as well as distributed through the Independent Weekly in mid-March. Sign up for our E-News to stay up to date with Festival program information.

HOW EARLY DO FILMS START? HOW LATE DO THEY GO? The first show starts at 10am daily, the last show starts around 11pm. View our schedule beginning March 22 for more details.

DO YOU SHOW FILMS MORE THAN ONCE? Films are only scheduled once during the festival. However, a handful of films (mostly festival award winners) will have an encore screening on Sunday afternoon in our TBA slots.

WHEN DO YOU ANNOUNCE THE TBA SCREENINGS? The TBA screenings are announced Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the Awards Barbecue.  At 1pm, the screenings will be announced online, in the Box Office, and via email.

WHAT IS THE AWARDS BARBECUE? Sunday’s Awards Barbecue is where Full Frame presents various awards to filmmakers from our NEW DOCS category.  Accompanying the ceremony is a traditional North Carolina Barbecue lunch and live music.  This is Premium Event and requires a ticket.  Tickets to the Awards Barbecue go fast, reserve or purchase yours early.   

CAN I GET INTO A SOLD OUT SHOW? It’s possible.  Some seats become available at the last minute.  Try the Last Minute Line at the event venues. Last Minute tickets are $10 for films and $15 for Premium Events (CASH ONLY). 

HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE? If you have a ticket, seating begins 30 minutes prior to showtime. Many programs sell out, so we encourage everyone to purchase a ticket in advance.

ARE FOOD AND DRINK ALLOWED IN THEATERS? Food and drink ARE allowed in the Carolina Theatre's three venues: Cinema One, Cinema Two and Fletcher Hall and also in the Durham Convention Center venues: Cinema Three and Cinema Four. Food and drink are NOT allowed in the Durham Arts Council’s PSI Theater.

ARE THE FILMS RATED? No.  Please see film descriptions regarding subject matter. 

DOES FULL FRAME SELL OR RENT THE FILMS THAT ARE SHOWN AT THE FESTIVAL? No.  Some films do become available for rent or purchase, please visit the films' official websites for availability.

DOES FULL FRAME OFFER DISCOUNTS OR FREE STUFF? Panel discussions in the A&E Speakeasy as well as all outdoor screenings at Durham Central Park are free in 2012. No ticket is required for these events. Duke ID Discount - Show your Duke ID in the Full Frame Box Office on Sunday, April 15 and receive $2 off per ticket.

WHAT ABOUT PARTIES AND FESTIVAL NIGHTLIFE? Full Frame’s official parties, The Opening Night Party and Awards Barbecue are ticketed events and sell out early. Be sure to get your tickets if you plan to attend. Downtown Durham has many restaurants and bars within a short walking distance from the Festival, visit the Explore Durham page for more information on local hospitality and attractions.

DO I NEED A CAR AT FULL FRAME? No.  All of Full Frame’s screening venues are within one city block.  There are dozens of restaurants and services within a short walk.  The Durham Central Bus Station is also a 5 minute walk to the Festival site. If you do drive, there are 3 parking garages within a few minutes walk from the Festival site. Visit our Venue + Services page for addresses and directions.

WHAT ABOUT LODGING? There are many accommodations near the Festival site. Full Frame's lodging recommendations can be found on our Travel + Lodging page.

HOW DO I STAY UP-TO-DATE ON FULL FRAME INFORMATION? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or sign up for our E-News email updates. To follow all of the Twitter discussions regarding our 2012 Festival, use #fullframe15.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS DURING THE FESTIVAL? The Information Desk will be located inside the Durham Armory, April 12 - 15. The desk can also be reached by phone - we'll post the number here at a later date.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? There are many ways to support Full Frame: Sponsor, Donate, Volunteer, or simply come to a show. We'll see you there.

NEW DOCS - The NEW DOCS program consists of approximately 60 films, selected from around 1200 submissions, all of which have been recently completed and are eligible for Full Frame awards. Awards will be presented during Sunday's Awards Barbecue.

INVITED PROGRAMMING - Invited Programming is comprised of films that have been invited to screen at Full Frame and are not eligible for awards. These films are ticketed events and are open to the public.

PREMIUM EVENT- Full Frame's daily big show, a Premium Event brings a little extra to the table, and their tickets cost a little more. Our customary Premium Events include the Opening Night Film, Opening Night Party, Center Frame events, and the Awards Barbecue.

CENTER FRAME - Center Frame events are Full Frame's Friday and Saturday night screenings in the Carolina Theatre's historic Fletcher Hall. Center Frames are accompanied by extended conversations with filmmakers and special guests. Center Frame events are Premium Events and have a higher ticket price.

CONVERSATIONS - Full Frame's slate of panels, workshops and demonstrations, the Conversations program also includes the Garrett Scott Documentary Grant presentation and works-in-progress programs.

LAST MINUTE LINE - The Last Minute Line is the designated line at each venue where people without tickets wait to see if there are any available seats after passholders and ticket holders have been seated. Last Minute tickets are $10 for films and $15 for Premium Events (CASH ONLY).

TBA - To Be Announced.  Full Frame's Sunday TBA screenings can include award-winners, sold-out shows or other encore opportunities.  TBA titles will be announced Sunday afternoon at 1pm, following the Awards Barbecue.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PASS AND A TICKET?  Passes enable you to reserve tickets to any ticketed event before they go on sale to the general public.  The quantity of tickets depends on the type of pass. If you plan on attending Full Frame for two or more days, then purchasing a pass is a great option.  Passes go on sale January 5.Tickets are for specific films and events. Tickets can be purchased online or through the Duke University Box Office before the festival, in the Full Frame Box Office during the festival, or at the venue in the Last Minute Line. Tickets are limited and many shows do sell out.  Advance Tickets go on sale April 2.

HOW DO PASSES WORK?  Passes enable you to reserve tickets to any ticketed event before they go on sale to the general public. The quantity of tickets depends on the type of pass.  There are four types of passes for sale:  PRIORITY, FESTIVAL, FILM, and STUDENT.

IF I HAVE A PASS, DO I NEED TO GET TICKETS?  Yes.  Each pass has a specific number of tickets assigned to it:  PRIORITY PASS (20 tickets), FESTIVAL PASS (15 tickets), FILM and STUDENT PASSES (10 tickets).  Tickets may be used for any film or ticketed event, including Premium Events such as the Opening Night Film, the Opening Night Party, Center Frame screenings and the Awards Barbecue!  Free Events do not require tickets.

HOW DO I GET A PASS?  Passes go on sale here January 5.  You can purchase passes online or through the Duke University Box Office. After purchasing a pass, a confirmation email will be sent to you with additional information and instructions. Passes can be picked up at the festival beginning Wednesday, April 11.

WHERE DO I GET TICKETS?  Before the festival, tickets can be purchased online or through the Duke University Box Office beginning April 2. During the festival, tickets can be purchased in the Full Frame Box Office. Tickets are available in the Full Frame Box Office until they sell out or 30 minutes before showtime. At that point, tickets may still be available in the Last Minute Line at event venues.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DOES FULL FRAME ACCEPT?  Payments Online:  Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.  Payments at the festival:  Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and cash.

WHEN DO PASSES AND TICKETS GO ON SALE?  Passes go on sale January 5.  Tickets go on sale April 2.  Passes and Tickets sell quickly.  Plan ahead and buy early!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT ON FILM PASSES?  All students with a valid student ID are eligible to purchase the STUDENT PASS. A valid student ID is required at pass pick-up. Passes are limited, so buy early!

CAN I GET A REFUND OR EXCHANGE MY PASS OR TICKET?  Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.  Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

CAN SOMEONE ELSE USE MY PASS?  No. A valid ID is required when picking up your pass. Passes are non refundable and non-transferrable. Passholders are limited to 1 ticket per event.

CAN I PICK UP MY FRIEND'S / SPOUSE'S / BOSS'S PASS?  No. A valid ID is required when picking up your pass. Passholders must pick up their own passes.

CAN I PICK UP MY PASS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL?  Yes.  Passholders can now pick up their pass beginning April 11 at Pass Pick Up located in the Durham Armory.

DOES MY PASS GET ME INTO PARTIES?  No.  The Opening Night Party and Awards Barbecue on Sunday are ticketed events.  Passholders may reserve a ticket and individual ticket buyers may purchase a ticket for one or both events.  Tickets are limited, so reserve or buy early!

WHAT IF I ARRIVE LATE TO A TICKETED EVENT?  Seating begins 30 minutes prior to showtime. If you arrive after seating has concluded, your ticket no longer guarantees a seat.

DO YOU HAVE PASSES FOR SALE AT THE FESTIVAL?  No.