Under the Couch - Nov 17th, 2004 Coney Island Film Festival Oct 1st - 3rd, 2004 Action / Cut Short Film Festival 2004 Santa Cruz 3rd Annual Buning Man Film Festival Oct 9th, 2004 Healdsburg, CA Burning Man Film Festival July 31st, 2004 London Burning Man Film Festival May 8th - 9th, 2004 New York International Independant Film and Video Festival April 22nd - 29th, 2004 Coney Island Short Film Festival Sept 27th - 28th, 2003 Santa Cruz 2nd Annual Burning Man Film Festival Oct 4th 2003 Upward Rising Development Online Film Festival April 27th 2003 1st Annual Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival Oct 28th 2002

In the three weeks between the end of Burning Man 2002 and the day of the film festival, filmmaker Bill Breithaupt edited for 180 hours to complete Aqua Burn. The 300+ audience packed into the Rio Theater that day was astounded. At the end of the film they cheered, then quieted to watch the credits, and cheered again. They also gave Bill a standing ovation (at the end of which he thanked his mom). The festival's driector described the film as "a cross between Koyaanisqatsi and an extreme sports video".

Click below to see Film Festival from
Bill's POV
VIDEO

In the midst of editing Burning Karma Bill Breithaupt took four days off to visit New York for the Coney Island Film Festival. It was his first time to New York since he was six years old. He and his mother enjoyed some sight-seeing, visiting Ground Zero and checking out Manhattan.

Rob Leddy, director of the Coney Island Film Festival, and his wife, did a fabulous job hosting a gala for the filmmakers at the Coney Island Musuem. As part of the festivities a Freak Show was put on, with burlesque dancers, a glass-eating man, and an obscene-balloon artist. The filmmakers enjoyed themselves in the laid-back atmosphere.

"Aqua Burn" headlined in the block of competing documentaries. When Bill returned home he received an e-mail informing him that his film won 1st place in the documentary catagory.

New York International Film and Video Festival !

Launching the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in style was the Opening Night Gala held at Manhattan's hottest new nightclub, BLVD. With over 500 musicians, artists, filmmakers, and industry execs in attendance the party was the place to be on April 22nd, 2004. Amid the hubbub, Aqua Burn was making it's presence known thanks to our schmoozing and PR work!! Not surprisingly there were a few Burners in the crowd who were stoked to see that a Burning Man Film made it into the festival.

During the one week respite between the party and the actual showing of "Aqua Burn", we did a little sightseeing. Central Park, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the New York City Library, Empire State building, Time Square and most of Midtown Manhattan. And of course, the NBC Studio Tour where we caught a glimpse of Carson Daly rehearsing for a taping of his show.

Finally the night of the showing rolled around and people began to pour into Theater 7 at the Village East Cinemas. Preceding Aqua Burn in the block of documentaries were "My Country, Right or Wrong", encompassing interviews with members of the Santa Fe chapter of Veterans for Peace, and "Zionist Cookies", giving a look at the opinions of an Israeli-American family regarding the Israeli-Palestinian war.

The audience's enthused reaction caught us off guard. We were bombarded by praise, and of course questions! The Burners from the party were there, true to their word, wondering which camp we'd be at this year and eager to discuss their experiences. Surprisingly a few of the older folks in the crowd were very eager to know everything about the festival, and I could see the wheels in their head turning away as they began planning their own visit to Burning Man. Another gentleman was curious as to how he could make his own film. I was shocked to see that nearly twenty minutes had passed since the film ended when an usher came to remind us that another film was going to be starting and we needed to exit the theater.

That night as we packed for the next day's flight, we were ecstatic that the film had been so well received and that the New York premiere of Aqua Burn had been such a success. We were then looking forward to spending the next week introducing Aqua Burn to London.

On May 8, 2004 Brixton's Ritzy Cinema found itself host to the first London Burning Man Film Festival. The two day event featured artwork and photographs by Burners, live artistic presentations and fire spinning. As one could expect, there were also many great films!

As the first day wore on more people began to arrive at the theater. Already known as a happening hangout in Brixton, the lobby was soon jammed full of bodies. This was largely alleviated by the announcement that the last film was going to begin. Larry Harvey made a speech and the sneak-preview of "Beyond Black Rock" began.

The after party at the Brixtonian capped the night off in true Burning Man style. The fire spinners, having migrated like the rest of us, were showing their talents right outside the club's back-alley entrance. With d.j.'s pumping music so loud you'd almost think you were at a 2 o'clock rave, henna artists and face painters, and a hot tub (no clothing necessary), all we needed was a little playa dust and we would have felt like we were home.

Sunday night Aqua Burn made it's European debut as the headliner, closing the festival with an upbeat rememberance of Burning Man 2002. After the film ended our little booth was mobbed. We stayed until the last questions were answered and everyone who wanted a copy of the film had one. As we packed up we were sad to see it end. Bidding adieu to old friends a new accquaintances we left London with many fond memories.