Full Frame 2026 Passes Now on Sale

The annual film festival takes place April 16-19

Woman lighting a candle
Image courtesy of Fox Under a Pink Moon

The 28th annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the four-day showcase of nonfiction cinema, takes place April 16-19 in downtown Durham. A program of the Duke Center for Documentary Studies, Full Frame offers new documentaries along with noteworthy films from the archives. 

More than 60 percent of films are presented with their filmmakers in attendance. Known for this artist-centered approach and its thoughtfully curated programs, the festival draws thousands of attendees globally to celebrate the power of documentary film. 

“These are films that take us around the world, reflect deeply personal relationships, and reveal nuanced perspectives,” said Sadie Tillery, festival co-director and artistic director. “There is grace and tenacity on display at every turn. It is inspiring to watch these films, and even more inspiring to be a part of sharing them with audiences this spring.”

In 2026, more than 60 films will screen across five theaters. The 2026 festival opens with “The Oldest Person in the World,” directed by Sam Green, setting the tone for a program that explores time, memory, resilience and the human condition. 

Filmmaker Robert Greene (“Procession,” “Bisbee ’17”) will curate the festival’s Thematic Program, while lawyer-turned-filmmaker and 2026 Full Frame Tribute recipient Dawn Porter (“Gideon’s Army,” “Luther: Never Too Much”) will be honored with selected screenings from her body of work. Porter is known for documentaries that shed light on systems of power while also focusing on the lived experiences of individuals and communities. 

The free closing night film is “I Was Born This Way,” directed by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard.

Passes are on sale now. Discounts on single tickets for Duke students, faculty and staff, as well as discounts on bundles of 10+ tickets to a single film, will be available beginning April 9.

For a full list of programming, go to Full Frame.