The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival said on Monday night [25] that it has been named a qualifying festival in the documentary short subject Oscar category. 

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences notified Full Frame top brass late last week. Last August the Producers Guild Of America named the festival as a new qualifying event.

“This announcement today has energised the entire Full Frame community,” said Full Frame executive director Deirdre Haj. “We view this as a recognition of the strength of the festival, the quality of its programming and a commitment to including film festivals in the process of discovering new filmmakers and films and helping them qualify for one of the industry’s highest honours.”

Full Frame’s 2012 edition screened a number of feature-length entries including Sunday’s Oscar winner Searching For Sugar Man [pictured]. The festival celebrates its 16th annual festival this year and runs from Apr 4-7 in Durham, North Carolina.