Search Menu
dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema

General Festival Info

A PATRON WAITS IN LINE TO GET A PASS SCANNED at Full Frame

    Key Dates

    • THU, Jan 15: Passes go on sale 
    • THU, March 12: Film lineup announced  
    • Mid-March: Film schedule announced 
    • WED, April 1: Ticket reservations begin
      • 4/1/2026, Premiere, Filmmaker, and Priority Pass ticket redemption 
      • 4/2/2026, Signature, Makers, and Media Pass ticket redemption 
      • 4/3/2026, Essential Pass ticket redemption
    • THU, April 9:  Single tickets on sale 
    • THU-SUN, April 16-19: Festival! 
    • SUN, April 19: Awards BBQ and Encore Announced 

    Box Office Hours

    The Box Office is located in the Durham Convention Center at 301 W. Morgan St. 

    • WED, Apr 15, 4 PM – 7 PM 
    • THU, Apr 16, 9 AM – 9 PM 
    • FRI, Apr 17, 9 AM – 9 PM 
    • SAT, Apr 18, 9 AM – 9 PM  
    • SUN, Apr 19,  9 AM – 6 PM 

    Festival Venues

    Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan St. 
    Festival Headquarters (Festival Box Office, Pass Pick Up, Merchandise Shop) 
    Cinema 3 (Capacity: 330) 
    Cinema 4 (Capacity: 360) 

    ADA accessibility, seating, and assistive listening devices are available per request at the Durham Convention Center (quantities are limited). 

    Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St. 
    Cinema 1 (Capacity: 225) 
    Cinema 2 (Capacity: 50) 
    Fletcher Hall (Capacity: 1000) 

    ADA accessibility, seating, and assistive listening devices available per request at the Carolina Theatre (quantities are limited). 

    Durham Armory, 220 Foster St. 
    Opening Night Party, Awards Barbecue 

    Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St. 
    Free public screenings on Friday and Saturday evenings. 
    Outdoor screening venue (Capacity: 400) 

    The Durham Hotel, 315 East Chapel Hill St. 
    Free public Speakeasy Conversations series. (Capacity: 100) 

    ADA accessibility and seating is available at The Durham Hotel. 

    Seating Policy for Screening venues

    All ticket holders (with or without a pass) must arrive at the venue 30-minutes prior to show time.  

    The Green Line seats first, followed by the Blue Line. The Last Minute Line will be seated approximately 5-10 minutes prior to show time. Last Minute Line seats are first come, first served (space permitting). 

    Seat saving is not permitted. 

    There is no late seating. Once seating has concluded, tickets are no longer valid. 

    Please do not leave empty seats in the middle of a row. Last Minute Line seating is less disruptive to the rest of the audience if empty seats are available on the aisles. 

    All audience members must leave the theater following each screening. Please do not leave any personal belongings in the theater.