Your Guide to Full Frame Film Festival

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is a top international festival for feature-length and short nonfiction films. The four-day festival offers indoor and outdoor screenings of more than 30 films, plus panel discussions, parties and social activities from morning until night. Within just a few city blocks, the festival draws thousands of film professionals and fans to take in screenings, take part in conversations, make connections and build community. Full Frame is a program of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and, though it has earned the nickname "the filmmaker's festival," it's a fun and approachable festival for anyone with an interest in documentary film.
 

Festival Details

When: April 16-19, 2026
Where: The Carolina Theatre and other venues in downtown Durham

Pass and package holders can begin redeeming their tickets April 1. Single tickets will go on sale April 9. With Essential Passes starting at just $140, Full Frame is an accessible way to experience the international filmmaking community.

Speakeasy Conversations
 

When: April 4, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.; April 5, 12:30 – 1:30 & 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Durham Hotel

Head to the Durham Hotel to engage in relaxed dialogues with filmmakers and industry voices at this free panel series. Access is limited to the first 100 guests, so make sure you get there on time.

Free Public Screenings

When: Friday & Saturday Evening
Where: Durham Central Park

Learn about the films, ask questions and raise a glass to the festival one week before it begins. Passes are not required.

Purchase Passes, Packages and Tickets

• The Oldest Person in the World — Opening the festival, this film, directed by Sam Green, follows the stories of the world's oldest people over the span of a decade.
• American Doctor — Directed by Poh Si Teng, this film follows three American doctors—Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—as they find themselves caught in a political struggle whilst trying to save lives in Gaza.
• A Fox Under a Pink Moon — Directed by Mehrdad Oskouei and Soraya Akhlaghi, this film follows Soraya herself, a 16-year0-old Iranian artist on her 5 year journey to make her way to Europe. Captured entirely on a phone camera, Soraya shares her fears and worries as she makes her way to her destination.
• Soul Patrol — See a hidden chapter of American military history step into the light as director J.M. Harper reunites the Vietnam War’s first Black special operations team to hear them tell their story.

These are just a few of the many amazing documentaries that you can view at the festival. Find descriptions for the full 2026 lineup on Full Frame's website.

Festival week is the perfect time to explore more of Durham. Download the Discover Durham app and take on the Full Frame App Challenge — check in at participating spots around the city to earn a lapel pin and be entered to win a grand prize.

How it Works

• Download the Discover Durham app on [iOS] or [Android] before festival week.
• On the app's homepage, open the Full Frame App Challenge. You'll find a list and map of all participating locations.
• When you arrive at a participating spot, look for challenge signage with a check-in code. Open the business listing within the app challenge, click check-in now and type in the code to check in. Codes are not case-sensitive and are unique to each location.
  • The check-in radius is limited to 150 meters from each location, so make sure you scan or enter the passcode before you leave. Remote check-ins won't count.
  • You'll receive confirmation of your check-in right away.

Not sure how to get started? Stop by the Full Frame merch table at Durham Convention Center on opening day, Thursday, April 16, for a free, easy check-in — it's a great way to download the app and try it out before you head out into the city.

Check In at Participating Locations

Arcana Bar and Lounge – 331 E. Main St. 
Intimate bar with a tarot theme and inventive cocktails and mocktails. Entrance is at the back of the building.

Cheeni – 202 Corcoran St., Suite 100
James Beard-nominated Preeti Waas's Indian Food Emporium serving homestyle Indian cuisine and inspired cocktails.

Pie Pushers – 117A W. Main St. 
Specialty pizza by the pie or slice, plus salads, wings and more.

Primrose Bar and Lounge – 111 W. Main St. 
Cocktail lounge that pays equal attention to the drinks and the atmosphere. 
 

Simons Says Dip This – 117 W. Main St. 
Sweet shop specializing in vanilla custard dipped in your choice of 24 chocolate-based dips, plus toppings.

Yonder Coffee – 108 E. Main St.
A casual cafe serving breakfast and lunch along with coffee and beer.

Museum of Durham History – 500 W. Main St.
A downtown history museum that tells Durham's stories through histories of its people, places and things.

Bonus: Free check-in on Thursday, April 16 at the Full Frame merch table at Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan St.

Prizes

One check-in: Earn a limited-edition Full Frame 2026 lapel pin.
Five check-ins: Be automatically entered to win the grand prize package, including: 
 

• Two Full Frame Signature Passes for the 2027 season
• One night stay at The Durham
• Sauna House voucher for two

Grand prize winner will be contacted directly via the email address provided at submission.

Claiming Your Lapel Pin: Once you've checked in at your first location, collect your pin at one of these pickup spots:
 

• Visitor Info Center during operating hours on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 2
• The Coffee Shop at The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Sunday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Having trouble? Email us at mobileapp@discoverdurham.com.

The Carolina Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Durham, a walkable district with plenty of new things to see and do. There are five hotels within walking distance of the Carolina Theatre. In 2025, Full Frame falls on the same weekend as the Dreamville music festival in Raleigh, which could impact room availability.

Full Frame has partnered with several Durham hotels to offer special rates for this year's festival. 

Host Hotel:

• The Durham Hotel A mid-century boutique hotel with a celebrated restaurant and rooftop bar. Preferred rates are available for festival attendees to book through Thursday, April 2. (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).

Check Rates and Dates and Book Your Stay

• Durham Marriott City Center Marriott City Center is connected to the Carolina Theatre, offering ease of access to festival activities.
• 21c Museum Hotel Explore the hotel’s art collection and snag a selfie with the 21c mascot – a hot magenta penguin (.1 miles from the Carolina Theatre)
• Aloft Durham Downtown Located near the American Tobacco Campus, Aloft offers a modern aesthetic, heated pool, and proximity to plenty of dining and entertainment options (.4 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center Area The newly constructed Residence Inn has apartment-style suites, heated pool, and fitness center near the Brightleaf District (.6 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Unscripted Durham An eclectic hotel with a rooftop deck, pool, and unique cocktail and cuisine options. (.1 miles from the Carolina Theatre).

If you're not up for the walk form your hotel to The Carolina Theatre, you can take The Bull Ride. This free and convenient ride service follows a flexible route through Downtown Durham, stopping at many popular locations like The Carolina Theatre. You can request a ride by calling 919.682.BULL or waving the ride down if you see it.

Where to Eat and Drink During Full Frame

When you attend the festival, you'll be steps away from the restaurants and bars in downtown Durham's renowned dining scene. Our picks can help you navigate the grab-and-go options you can snag between films and celebrated hot spots where you can unwind after a day of screenings. A stroll around the surrounding blocks will reveal many more excellent options for dining and socializing.

• The Restaurant and The Roof at The Durham The Restaurant at The Durham Hotel is a popular all-day hangout where guests are welcome to relax over conversation or work with coffee, pastries, lunch or a cocktail, and transitions into a full-service restaurant in the evening. The Roof is a casual spot for cocktails and bites with great sunset views (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• M Sushi An upscale sushi restaurant that offers an authentic Omakase dining experience (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Bulldega Urban Market A neighborhood grocery that offers the essentials alongside grab-and-go meal options (.3 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Pizzeria Toro A bustling spot where brick oven-baked pizzas are topped with seasonal ingredients and the kale salad is one of Durham's most popular dishes (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Cheeni This Indian Food Emporium is the second location of James Beard nominee Preeti Waas's Raleigh restaurant and serves homestyle Indian food for lunch and dinner (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).

Durham Restaurants Open Late

Is there a screening you really want to attend, but the timing has you worried you'll miss dinner? Fear not, there are plenty of Durham restaurants that stay open late.

• Queeny's Frequented by locals and visitors alike, this neighborhood bar serves up burgers, birria dip, chicken crispers and more all till 2 a.m. (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Alley Twenty Six Head here after the screening for a late-night fine-dining experience, complete with craft cocktails and a delicious menu featuring items like caviar and tots and disco fries (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Remy's Lounge Much on cheap tacos, quesadillas, burritos and bowls after dark at Remy's. You can pick your own protein, including vegetarian options (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).
• Bull McCabe's For classic pub-fare and cheap drinks, Bull McCabe's is your one stop shop. Enjoy the spring evening air on the patio as you sip a beer and devour a basket of fries and wings (.2 miles from the Carolina Theatre).

Download the app before your stay so you can keep this list of restaurants handy. Find more restaurants open late on our blog.