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 50 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 3-6, 2025
Where: The Carolina Theatre and other venues in downtown Durham

The full program lineup will be announced March 11. Pass and package holders can begin redeeming their tickets March 17. Single tickets will go on sale March 27. With Essential Passes starting at just $125, Full Frame is an accessible way to experience the international filmmaking community.

Festival Kickoff Party

When: March 25, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Ponysaurus Brewing, 219 Hood St.
Free

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

Where to Stay for Full Frame

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.

• 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).
• The Durham Hotel A mid-century boutique hotel with a celebrated restaurant and rooftop bar (.2 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).

Check Rates and Dates and Book Your Stay

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.