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Volunteer Spotlight: Sonia Sabater
How did you hear about Full Frame?
I came here from New York for undergrad. I was at Duke, majoring in neuroscience. It was at Duke that I found out about the Full Frame Fellows program— a lot of my best friends were in the documentary studies program, and they were the ones who encouraged me to participate in the program and told me that I’d have a great time even without being a filmmaker or film student. So I did it, and it was incredible.
How was your experience as both a Full Frame Fellow and a STEM student?
I went in worried that, you know, as a neuroscience major, was I going to be able to really participate? But everyone in the program was so passionate about everything that goes into storytelling, and that’s what really got me hooked. We got to do the Q&As with filmmakers and film crews, and I met so many different students from around the country. It just built such strong connections, and I felt like I was okay and I belonged there.
When did you start volunteering at the festival? What was your role?
It was the next year. I missed the festival and I wanted to go back immediately. I was on the Plaza team, which is the team responsible for greeting people, directing them, answering questions, showing them where to pick up passes, where the lines are and how they work, making recommendations for where to go in town. We are the “face” of Full Frame, and it’s so much fun.
Have you tried out other roles?
Last year I was asked to volunteer at the Speakeasy Conversations at The Durham Hotel, which I was a little nervous about because I was unfamiliar with the role. But everyone is just so great. Dan (Patridge, Director of Productions) was a huge help through the whole process. It was so cool to again be surrounded by all these filmmakers and students and hearing them talk about their work and asking each other questions—seeing how people network with each other during those sessions was so cool.
The great thing about volunteering at Full Frame is that it doesn’t really matter what role you have or where you are. It’s going to be a great experience anywhere you’re volunteering because the people are just remarkable. And for people who like people watching, it’s also a great time.
For me, it just feels like a place where everyone does belong. Full Frame is the best weekend of the year. I am so excited that it’s finally back.
I’m curious to know what Full Frame documentary has made the biggest impression on you.
DAUGHTERS (dir. Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, 2024). I mean, there have been so many great films, but that is one I’m still talking to my friends about, and I even talked to my parents about. I remember leaving the film, and it was so quiet as people were processing, and then I started hearing people talking about it and everyone had something different to say. I really loved that.
Is there anything else you want to share with folks who are considering volunteering?
Durham has changed a lot in the last few years. It’s almost unrecognizable for many of us who’ve been in the area all these years. But Full Frame is still Full Frame. And I think for some of us who are having a hard time seeing the ways that Durham’s landscape is changing, it’s been really comforting to have Full Frame again. It’s like, “okay, we’re still here.” It’s the same people and it’s still same feelings… I’m just recommending different restaurants now.