THE BURNING SEASON has been invited to compete in the ‘World Documentary Feature Competition’ at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival in New York in April.
THE BURNING SEASON is the only Australian documentary that will screen in competition at Tribeca. This is second time in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival for director Henkel – she won the coveted award for ‘Best Documentary’ with her very personal film, THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER’S FACE in 2004.
Despite the serious nature of the subject matter, THE BURNING SEASON is both positive and inspiring and has already been garnering local awards. The film won the Audience Choice Award at the Brisbane International Film Festival 2008 and the IF Award for Best Documentary (an award voted by audiences).
Subsequently, independent distributor Gil Scrine approached the producers with the offer of a cinema release. The editing of the new cinema version received support from the Queensland Government’s Pacific Film and Television Commission. Other investors in the film are Screen Australia and the NSW Film and TV Office.
THE BURNING SEASON is co-produced by Cathy Henkel (Virgo Productions) Jeff Canin (Hatchling Productions) and Trish Lake (Freshwater Pictures) and narrated by Hugh Jackman. The film will be released in cinemas across Australia in June and July with an innovative distribution plan to be managed by a partnership between Virgo Productions, Freshwater Pictures and Gil Scrine Films.
“For me, the widest possible audience for this film is a matter of urgency. My hope is that it will help people understand why forests and the orangutans need to be saved, and remind us that we mustn’t give up. This film is an anthem to optimism and a call to action. It reflects my profound belief in the mantra of “Yes We Can”, says Director Cathy Henkel.
The scheduled screening times for The Burning Season at Tribeca are:
Saturday, April 25, 6:15 pm, AV7-07
Sunday, April 26, 3:00 pm, AV7-04
Tuesday, April 28, 10:15 pm, AV7-07
Thursday, April 30, 12:30 pm, AV7-03
All screenings take place at:
AMC Village VII (AV7)
66 Third Avenue (at 11th Street)
New York, NY 10003
