FAQ

What is Full Frame?

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, produced by Doc Arts, Inc., is an annual international film festival that celebrates the power and artistry of documentary cinema. Held in the spring in Durham, North Carolina, Full Frame's four days include over 100 screenings of both new and curated films. Full Frame also presents panels, hosts parties, and honors documentary luminaries. The Festival Board of Directors' Chair is Martin Scorsese, and board members include Mary Lea Bandy, Ken Burns, Jonathan Demme, D.A. Pennebaker, John Sayles, and other influential people from the film and cultural scene.

Since its debut in 1998, Full Frame has grown into "the largest festival of its kind in North America," according to A. O. Scott, film critic for The New York Times. For two years in a row, Full Frame was the only festival of any kind listed in Entertainment Weekly's "It" issue. And the July 2004 issue of IDA Magazine called Full Frame "arguably the Cannes of documentary film festivals."

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Can anyone attend Full Frame or is it for filmmakers only?

Full Frame is open to everyone, both filmmakers and film lovers alike. Documentary naturally lends itself to discussion - it deliberately provokes thought, conversation and controversy even. With over 90% of filmmakers in attendance and a Q&A session after most screenings, Full Frame provides an unmatched cinema experience.

Approximately 50% of the audience travels to the festival from across the country and abroad. Our audience is also comprised of the interesting demographic that makes up the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, one of the most educated communities in the world, which includes the university community and those working in Research Triangle Park. There's a mix of men and women, ranging from high school students to retirees, all looking to learn more about the world around them.

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How many films do you show?

Over four days we screen over 100 films, beginning on Thursday morning and ending late Sunday evening. Film programs usually start around 10:00 each morning, with the last ones ending around midnight each night.

Each program includes at least one film, and often more than one film. With 90% of exhibiting filmmakers in attendance, most films are also followed by a question and answer session with the director and even the subject. These Q&A’s are a highlight of the festival.
Opening Night Festivities take place Thursday evening. The Awards Barbecue happens on Sunday afternoon.

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Is there a theme to the Festival?

Festival program is divided into six different categories:

• New Docs
• Career Award: William Greaves
• Curated Series: Migrations
• Sidebar: Inhabiting Space
• Special Programming
• Panels & Workshops

New Docs is our centerpiece program. Over 1,200 films were submitted to Full Frame in the Fall from across the globe. The Full Frame Selection Committee chooses approximately 60+ films to showcase at the Festival. These films, which make up approximately two-thirds of the Festival’s films, are screened throughout the four days and some are eligible for awards, which are announced at the Awards Barbecue on Sunday Afternoon.

William Greaves is to be honored at this year’s Career Award presentation. A selection of Greaves’ films will screen at the Festival spotlighting the range of his work, from his documentaries on black history and culture to his critically acclaimed experimental films. 

Much the way a great museum curates a special exhibit, each year Full Frame hosts a curated series, with a selection of films chosen by a guest curator. This year’s theme focuses on migration. Full Frame selected Lourdes Portillo, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker.

Sidebar: Inhabiting Space is another curated program of films selected by Full Frame Founder and Advisor Nancy Buirski.

Special Programming includes hand-selected films to compliment the Festival program. This includes our premium “Center Frame” programs and special works-in-progress screenings.

A documentary film festival is inspiring because it encourages you to think. Each year we create several panels to further discussion on timely ideas. Workshops are designed to generate talk about elements of documentary filmmaking. We invite filmmakers and influential thinkers from all over the world to participate in our panels and workshops. All are open to anyone with a ticket or appropriate pass.

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How do I choose what to see?

You can access the Film schedule on this website before the Festival. Or wait until you get to the Festival, where you can pick up a Festival program.

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Where are the theaters?

The festival is located in downtown Durham, centered around the historic Carolina Theatre. All theater venues are within walking distance of each other, the farthest being the American Tobacco Campus. Filmgoers not able to walk the 5 minute path to Weaver Auditorium can board the free shuttle in front of the Carolina Theatre on the Civic Center Plaza. The Festival Shuttle connects the heart of the festival to Weaver Auditorium and other downtown districts. For more information about the venues and shuttles, please refer to the venues & services section of the website.

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Where do I purchase tickets and passes?

Please visit Full Frame's Box Office to learn important details about how, when and where to make your purchase.

Passes went online in December 2007 and are now SOLD OUT.
Advance Tickets are available March 24 - April 2, 2008.
At the Festival itself you have two options to get a Day of Show Ticket at the Festival Box Office (Durham Armory) or wait in line at the venue for a Last Minute Ticket.

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