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dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema
Full Frame: four days of standout storytelling, conversation, and Southern hospitality in progressive downtown Durham, North Carolina. Each spring, Full Frame aims to foster an inclusive environment, bringing together filmmakers and film lovers from near and far to celebrate the power and artistry of documentary film. Amidst a vibrant arts scene, Full Frame is intimate, easy, and exceptional.
Showcasing work on seven screens, all within a few city blocks, from morning until night. Most screenings are followed by engaging Q&As with inquisitive audience members—in 2018, nearly three quarters of the films were represented by members of the filmmaking team. The festival embraces a wide breadth of stories and styles, from both emerging and established artists. Premieres screen alongside some of the most prominent films of the year within a carefully curated lineup of short and feature documentaries from around the globe. There’s no red carpet. No market-driven distractions. It’s all about the films.
Full Frame’s programming honors the process and the craft of filmmaking. The festival is dedicated to the theatrical experience, and not only seeks compelling subject matter, but nonfiction cinema at the height of its form. In 2018, the festival showcased 66 contemporary documentaries, screening 55 features and 11 shorts from 31 countries. Full Frame is a Producers Guild of America qualifying event for Outstanding Producer of a Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture and an Academy Award®-qualifying festival for Documentary Film Short Subject, and boasts a solid record of Oscar® nominees and winners in both the short and feature categories.
The heart of the festival is the historic Carolina Theatre—a 1,000 seat venue with signature teal velvet seats restored to its 1920s décor—whose front doors open onto a central plaza-turned-tented café. Run by one of the most renowned restauranteurs in the region, attendees look forward to the quality and convenience of this festival mainstay. And with the Durham Farmer’s Market, food trucks, breweries, and acclaimed restaurants only steps away, guests enjoy exploring downtown, discovering for themselves why Southern Living calls Durham the South’s “tastiest town.”
MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Full Frame serves the documentary form and its community by showcasing the contemporary work of established and emerging filmmakers. Full Frame is committed to enhancing public understanding and appreciation of the art form and its significance, while making films more accessible to a wider audience.