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dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema

Volunteer

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

    Complete information on how to volunteer and volunteer roles at the 27th annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival will be posted in early January 2025.

    The Volunteer Application will open on February 1, 2025.

    All volunteers receive a free t-shirt, access to the Volunteer Lounge, 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.

    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)

    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), and the Full Frame Theater (American Tobacco Campus). 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 – FULL FRAME THEATER: Afternoon/Evening shifts available on Friday and Saturday.

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

    REQUIREMENTS: Must have Friday and Saturday night availability.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    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).

     

    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.