Full Frame Shifts to June for 2021 Documentary Festival

Durham, North Carolina-based festival accepting entires from December 1, 2020 to January 8, 2021

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is shifting dates for its 2021 festival. 

​The event was previously planned for April 2021, but today the festival announced new dates: June 2-6, 2021. In a press release, Full Frame noted, "Organizers cite the [Covid-19] pandemic’s impact on industry calendars, audiences, and the documentary filmmaking community for the date change." 

“Our priority continues to be the safety of our audiences and our filmmakers,” commented festival director Deirdre Haj. “We plan to build upon what we’ve learned from [2020's] online festival and the virtual programs we’ve produced throughout the summer and fall to create a safe event that celebrates the spirit of Full Frame in a new way.”

The coronavirus emergency forced the cancellation of the physical edition of the 2020 Durham, North Carolina-based festival, but Full Frame adjusted by launching a virtual screening room and a filmmaker Q&A series.

“We recognize the incredible impact the pandemic has had on filmmakers and the documentary industry,” artistic director Sadie Tillery said in a statement. “In this unsettling and uncertain time, it feels especially important to highlight new films and support artists through our programming. As we reimagine our 2021 event, we are committed to serving this community.”

Full Frame also announced it will accept submissions from filmmakers beginning December 1 and ending January 8, 2021.

The Carolina Theatre, principal screening venue of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. April 7, 2019. Photo by Matt Carey

Click here ​for more photos from the 2019 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, including two filmmakers who would go on to win the 2020 Academy Award for documentary feature.