I just got back this evening from the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. It was my first trip and well worth it.

Before I even mention all of the great films, I can't say enough about the wonderful people involved with the festival from top to bottom. It is so wonderful to be reminded of the festival part that goes along with the film. Okay, maybe that was enough.

Anyway, the movies great. While the hype for "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" and "Air Guitar Nation" were well deserved, I was blown away by the delicate beauty of "My Country, My Country." Two very good films I think people have heard of that I enjoyed where "Purvis of Overtown" and "A/K/A Tommy Chong."

While I saw some wonderful world premieres, including "Sweet Dreams" and "The Chances of the World Changing," the downside of festivals is the ability to sit through really good films that just feel they should be shorter. As the awards were announced over sweet tea and bar-b-que, I was shocked at so many of the films that played opposite of my schedule were the winners. It just speaks to the breadth of great films there.

If you've never been to Durham, even for a "Bull Durham" road trip, Full Frame is an incredible opportunity to meet great filmmakers in such a congenial atmosphere. I don't think I'll finish my upcoming doc in time for next year's submissions, but Full Frame is a festival that can definitely get behind filmmakers.

j.brown