Linda Shropshire’s Full Frame Picks

Linda Shropshire is the Founder and Lead Curator for Ella West Gallery, a contemporary art gallery that anchors culture in the middle of Durham’s Black Wall Street. As a gallerist, Linda curates exhibitions that transcend traditional boundaries, spotlighting works that explore themes of migration, identity, gender, and intergenerational traditions. Linda is also a Trustee for the North Carolina Museum of Art, where she seeks to make sure the Peoples’ Collection is accessible and welcoming for all.

The 27th annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival features a lineup of 50 films from 30 countries. With so many captivating documentaries in the 2025 lineup, how does one choose their must-sees? We thought having a guide might help, so Linda Shropshire is here to share the films she is most excited to see at the 27th annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: 

AKA MR. CHOW (Dr. Nick Hooker)

I am excited to see this one! I see my own life as many and varied chapters of the Great Novel of Me. I am intrigued at how Michael Chow has continued to re-invent himself— from his passion for the Bejing Opera to building a restaurant empire to becoming a painter (M). As he has reinvented, we (the public) have never left his side. As he looks back at his life of 85 years, I am sure we can all learn something from him to fuel our own personal journeys. About the film >>

THE APOLLO (Dir. Roger Ross Williams)

The Apollo Theatre played out as a backdrop for my musical life. It has always been a part of me. As a kid growing up in NC in 1970s and 80s, the Apollo was my connection to the best and brightest upcoming musical stars of the times. Glued to the weekly TV program “Live at the Apollo,” I remembered seeing big stars like a young Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston perform there. As a high school singer myself, I had dreams of being cheered on (not booed) during Amateur Night. Finally, as a young adult, I got my chance to visit in person—not as a singer, but as a fan. It lived up to the magic and it was an honor to see the stage where so many stars were born. I look forward to reliving some of those special memories at this screening. About the film >>

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story (Dir. Sinead O’Shea)

I love a good tell-all story and I admire a woman who will lay it all out before death and let us marvel, without the worry of embarrassment or remorse. I am drawn to this; every woman I know, including myself, has a story to tell about our personal struggles and triumphs. Some of us can make it look easy. Edna became an icon even as she endured much pain. In the end, she found her greatest dedication to be to her art. (Sound familiar?) About the film >>

Hold Me Close (Dir. Aurora Brachman, LaTajh Simmons-Weaver)

As we encounter a country that is determined to quell our ability to love and live with freedom, I want to support Aurora Bachman and this beautiful insight into a love that is free to be. The subjects are Black and Queer in this moment of erasure and they give us a front-row seat to their love story. As we all set out to love and be loved, this short film will touch our hearts. And we need all of it. About the film >>

Prime Minister (Dir. Michelle Walshe, Lindsay Utz)

A film I have been waiting for. Women all around the world watched with our muscle memory as we witnessed Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017-2023) navigate a country through a pandemic and humanitarian crises while at the same time holding tightly to her responsibilities as a new mother. We watched her lead with compassion and strength and speak truth to power while holding onto her ability to be fully human. This is history. A documentary for the ages. About the film >>

Ready to make your own picks? Single Tickets go on sale March 27!