I am a psychotherapist, author, and educator turned filmmaker. I am an older adult member of the LGBTQ+ community and have a life-long commitment to equality, inclusion, diversity, and social justice for all.
My mission as a filmmaker is to direct, produce, and distribute non-commercial documentaries that combine my skills and abilities in Narrative Therapy and Community Work with my passion for film as a multidimensional art form of storytelling.
My intention is to create films that link people together through their narratives of lived experience within a broader social context, transport the viewer to new awareness and understanding, and bring awareness of social justice issues to audiences around the world.
Here are my current projects:
Within the Lodge of Sacred Relations
This award winning feature length documentary brings light to Ryan’s extraordinary journey of reclaiming his indigenous heritage and creating sacred spaces for indigenous and non-indigenous peoples to discover healing, belonging, and the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. The film also brings awareness to the ravages of colonization on Turtle Island, North America, and its intergenerational effects on indigenous peoples and their communities.
The context is a gathering of Narrative therapists and community workers who invite Ryan to lead them in indigenous ceremonies and healing circles. This sets the stage for stories to do their magic and transport everyone to new awareness and awakenings.
In a world that is torn by division and strife, this film offers new possibilities for people of diverse cultures and faith traditions to come together in the spirit of curiosity and openness, create a community of sacred relations, and take a stand against injustice.
Within the Lodge of Sacred Relations has won a number of awards and honors at FilmFreeway events including, Best Human Rights Film, Best Inspirational Film, Best Indigenous Film, Best Documentary, Best Documentary Feature, Best Awareness Film, Best Social Work Film, Best Film on Religion, Best Indie Film, Best Documentary Filmmaker, and Best Debut Filmmaker. It has also received Special Jury Awards and Critic’s Choice Awards. See them all at patriciaburke.com/films
Follow the film on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WithintheLodge
Watch a 28 minute extended trailer of Within the Lodge of Sacred Relations at the film’s Facebook page. Don’t forget to share the link with your family and friends.
A Different Kind of Trash Talk
This award winning short documentary links the problems of roadside trash to ocean pollution and climate change as it follows Joe’s litter collection initiative and his big ideas for world improvement called TAP (Toward Alternative Possibility). The filmmaker’s narrative and Joe’s story link up with the stories of others dedicated to cleaning up the environment and lessening the impact of climate change on our communities. These stories are woven together to create a rich, multi-layered narrative of hope and possibility for the planet.
The film also brings awareness to big ideas for world improvement and how linking people with the shared values of curiosity and compassion, instead of judgment, can help us become more fulfilled as global citizens.
A Different Kind of Trash Talk has won 32 awards and honors at FilmFreeway events including Best Documentary Short, Best Inspirational Film, Best Environmental Film, Best Producer, and Best Debut Filmmaker. See them all at patriciaburke.com/films