Sydney Film Festival is thrilled to announce Australian documentary Burning as the first ever recipient of the Sustainable Future Award!
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner (Taxi to the Dark Side, SFF 2018), Burning takes an unflinching look at Australia’s catastrophic ‘Black Summer’ bushfires – as well as our nation’s woeful record on climate change action.
The Sustainable Future Award recognises a narrative or documentary film of any length that deepens our knowledge and awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency. Eight outstanding films from around the world were nominated for the Award – see the full list of nominees below!
Orner receives a $10,000 cash prize, made possible by a syndicate of passionate climate activists led by Award sponsor, Amanda Maple-Brown.
“There couldn’t be a more pertinent first winner of the inaugural Sustainable Future Award. Burning is sure to elicit a powerful response from audiences at the Festival."
– Nashen Moodley, Sydney Film Festival Director
See Burning In Cinemas this Festival. Selling fast — book your tickets now.
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ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AWARD
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SFF's Award jury included school student and Strike4Climate activist Natasha Abhayawickrama; documentary filmmaker Bettina Dalton; Deputy-Vice Chancellor Research Office and Climate Council Member Professor Leslie Hughes; actress and philanthropist Amanda Maple-Brown; and documentary filmmaker Tom Zubrycki.
As Nashen Moodley, Sydney Film Festival Director says, “The Award is philanthropically motivated and funded by a syndicate of climate activists who believe deeply in the power of film to heighten community awareness of the need for action.”
On establishing the Award, Amanda Maple-Brown says, “We have five years! The urgency is so much greater than we understand. Everyone is so reluctant to change, and our politicians have shown it has to come from the people... A great film, like a great piece of theatre, is transformative."
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SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AWARD NOMINEES
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A FIRE INSIDE
When Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires horrified the world, the selfless acts of everyday Aussies inspired us all. But the triple whammy of drought, fire and pandemic has taken an astounding toll.
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BURNING
Winner of the Award. Focusing in on the 2019-20 bushfires, Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner (Taxi to the Dark Side, SFF 2018) interrogates Australia’s woeful record on climate change action.
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FROM THE WILD SEA
Volunteers work tirelessly to rescue Europe’s marine life from pollution and violent weather fuelled by climate change in this poetic documentary. Berlinale 2021.
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HOW TO KILL A CLOUD
A Finnish scientist takes on a multimillion-dollar project to make rain in the desert, but soon becomes caught in an ethical dilemma between research, finance and the environment.
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TAMING THE GARDEN
Perhaps the most visually striking film in this year’s Festival. A surreal environmental tale that opens with the remarkable shot of a 30-metre-high tree floating across a pale ocean.
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RIVER
The creative team behind Mountain (SFF 2017) reunite for the cinematic poetry that is River: director Jennifer Peedom, Richard Tognetti, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, writer Robert Macfarlane and narrator Willem Dafoe.
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THE SEEDS OF VANDANA SHIVA
From the Himalayan forests to the Sydney Peace Prize: how environmental activist, author and Indian scientist Dr Vandana Shiva became the rock star of the organic food movement.
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THE MAGNITUDE OF ALL THINGS
Potent stories from the frontlines of climate change merge with a filmmaker’s familial memories in this cinematic documentary. Featuring activists, scientists and traditional custodians from Australia and beyond.
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