Volunteer

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is made possible thanks to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who donate their time each year.

All volunteers receive a free t-shirt, access to the Volunteer Lounge, an invitation to the Volunteer Appreciation Party after the festival, and a Volunteer Pass. The Volunteer Pass comes with five tickets that may be reserved for film screenings or special events, including the Opening Night Party and Awards Barbecue. The Volunteer Pass also grants access to screenings through the Last Minute Line, space permitting.

Miss the 2025 Volunteer Orientation?
Watch it online here.
Access the slides here. 

How To Volunteer

All volunteers must meet the following requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Work a minimum of three 5 hour (non-consecutive) shifts during festival week
• Have at least 2 days of open availability during the festival
• Work a Friday and/or Saturday night shift (mandatory for all Cinema teams)
• Attend the mandatory volunteer orientation meeting and assigned team training session(s)
• Are you a college student interested in volunteering, but may not be able to commit to five-hour shifts? Contact Operations Director Bel Destefani for more information.

Volunteer Roles

AUDIENCE AWARD TEAM
The Audience Award team collects, counts, and records all Audience Award ballots for our NEW DOCS film screenings! Late-night availability is a plus.

AVAILABILITY: Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available from Thursday to Saturday.

CINEMA TEAMS
Full Frame consists of six screening venues: Cinema 1, Cinema 2, and Fletcher Hall (Carolina Theatre), Cinema 3, and Cinema 4 (Durham Convention Center). Each cinema team operates independently and has one to two Venue Managers assigned to instruct you during your shift. Duties include: line management, crowd control, ushering, seating, ticket taking, and distributing and collecting ballots.

AVAILABILITY – ALL CINEMAS: Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available from Thursday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Must have Friday and Saturday night availability.

DURHAM CENTRAL PARK TEAM
The festival’s outdoor screenings are held in Durham Central Park. Duties include: outdoor screen set up/break down, crowd control, and assisting with the pre-screening Food Truck Rodeo.

AVAILABILITY: Evening/Late Night shifts available on Friday and Saturday.

REQUIREMENTS: Must have late-night availability. Must be able to lift 25+ lbs.

FESTIVAL LOUNGE TEAM (FORMERLY HOSPITALITY SUITE TEAM)
The Festival Lounge team oversees the VIP lounge for filmmakers, donors, and sponsors. Duties include: maintaining daily beverage and food service, door and line management (only select badges have access to the suite), greeting VIPs, assisting the Special Events team with set up/break down of the Champagne Reception, and assisting the production team with deliveries.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Strong customer service and catering experience a plus.

GREEN TEAM
The Green Team helps the festival reduce our carbon footprint. Duties include: monitoring, moving, and collecting recyclable and compostable material from all areas of the festival landscape (including special events). Physical activity and occasional heavy lifting may be required.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to stand for long periods of time. Must be able to lift 25+ lbs.

MERCHANDISE TEAM
Merchandise Team members assist with the set-up and management of the Merchandise Table at Festival Headquarters.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Some moderate lifting of boxes may be required (approx. 10 lbs or less).

PASS PICK UP
The Pass Pick Up team assist attendees at the main check-in desk at the festival. Duties include: distributing credentials, recording pass credential pick-up, administering the festival survey, and answering questions.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening shifts available Wednesday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Strong customer service skills a plus.

PLAZA TEAM
The Plaza Team oversees the courtyard between the Carolina Theatre and the Durham Convention Center. During Full Frame, the plaza is home to seating lines for Fletcher Hall, a tented, open-air café, and additional food and beverage vendors. The Plaza Team duties are customer service oriented and include answering general questions and offering directions to attendees, and communicating updates as needed to Full Frame Staff.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

PRODUCTION TEAM: TECH/PANELS
The Production team works primarily behind-the-scenes assisting with vendor deliveries, tech and special event set up/break down, catering pick-ups, venue line set up/break down, and signage placement. Physical activity and occasional heavy lifting may be required. The ability to react to festival needs quickly and efficiently is a plus.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available from Monday to Monday.

REQUIREMENTS: Ability to react to festival needs quickly and efficiently. Must be able to lift 25+ lbs.

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
Social Media team members are selected by Full Frame’s marketing department based on prior festival experience and/or work samples.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Late Night shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Must provide a portfolio or sample of work to be considered.

SPEAKEASY TEAM
The Speakeasy team oversees the filmmaker and industry panel conversations in the Speakeasy. Duties include: greeting attendees and panelists, ushering guests in/out of venue, seating, and venue set-up. Volunteers must be able to work Friday and Saturday

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon shifts available on Friday and Saturday.

SPECIAL EVENTS TEAM
The Special Events team assists with festival party and reception events. Duties include: event set up/break down, ticket taking, guest list check-in, and crowd control. Evening and late-night availability is required. Catering experience is a plus.

AVAILABILITY: Evening/Late Night shifts available Thursday to Saturday and Morning/Afternoon/Evening shifts available on Sunday.

REQUIREMENTS: Must be 21+ years old with late night availability on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.

VOLUNTEER LOUNGE TEAM
The Volunteer Lounge team works in the Volunteer Lounge and helps cover shifts for all festival teams. Duties may include: assisting with volunteer check in and pass distribution, answering festival attendee questions, ticket taking, helping with venue line management and crowd control, heavy lifting, and more.

AVAILABILITY: Morning/Afternoon/Evening shifts available Thursday to Sunday.

Questions? Email our team!