In July of 2002, Head of media operations, Jim Graham offered Bill Breithaupt a spot in the 1st annual Burning Man Film Festival. Jumping at the opportunity Bill headed to Burning Man for his fourth year in a row, partying and filming the entire week as usual. When he returned home he locked himself in his office and edited. In the three weeks between the end of Burning Man 2002 and the day of the film festival he worked a total of 180 hours. The final result was Aqua Burn. The 300 + audience that packed into the Rio Theater that day was astounded. At the end of the film they cheered, then quieted to watch all the credits, and then cheered again. They also gave Bill a standing ovation (at the end of which he thanked his mom). The festival's director, Jim Graham described the film as "a cross between Koyaanisqatsi and an extreme sports video". The events of the evening far surpassed Bill's expectations.  An additional 620 hours of editing time was put in and then it was ready to travel. It premiered in New York and London, winning The Coney Island Short Film Festival 2003's Best Documentary Award and the Action/Cut Short Film Festival 2004 Documentary Special Jury Award.               

"Burning Karma", filmed at Burning Man 2003, and "AstroBlaze", filmed at Burning Man 2004, follow in Aqua Burn's footsteps. Both were edited in under a month and premiered at the 2nd and 3rd annual Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festivals.  "Burning Karma" is darker and more intense than its predecessor, "Aqua Burn" , yet it maintains a focus on the incredible art installations of the year's theme (Beyond Belief), highlighted by enlightening interviews with festival attendees.

Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival 

In July of 2002, Head of media operations, Jim Graham offered Bill Breithaupt a spot in the 1st annual Burning Man Film Festival. Jumping at the opportunity Bill headed to Burning Man for his fourth year in a row, partying and filming the entire week as usual. When he returned home he locked himself in his office and edited. In the three weeks between the end of Burning Man 2002 and the day of the film festival he worked a total of 180 hours. The final result was Aqua Burn. The 300+ audience that packed into the Rio Theater that day was astounded. At the end of the film they cheered, then quieted to watch all the credits, and then cheered again. They also gave Bill a standing ovation (at the end of which he thanked his mom). The festival's director, Jim Graham described the film as "a cross between Koyaanisqatsi and an extreme sports video". The events of the evening far surpassed Bill's expectations. 

The Burning Man Film Rated #1 by Burners

Upward Rising Development Festival

Film Featured: Are You Lost ?

April 27th, 2003

San Francisco, CA

In May of 2002 Bill Breithaupt entered "Are You Lost ? " into the Upward Rising Developement online Film Festival.
Out of hundreds of entries only 38 were selected to go to the online voting round. The online voters determined the top 5 finalist.
The top 5 finalist films were shown to a live audience who then voted on their favorite film. Out of the five films "Are You Lost ? "got 3rd place.

2nd Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival 

Film Featured: Burning Karma

October 4th, 2003

Santa Cruz, CA 

In August of 2003 Bill Breithaupt was given a difficult task. He was asked to make a film for the 2003 Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival. Knowing he would be expected to out-do his previous film, Aqua Burn , he buckeled down and did the same thing he does every year. He packed up enough provisions to last a week and headed to Burning Man. When he returned he holed himself up in his editing room and emerged 28 days later with Burning Karma. The audience of more than 300 people were blown away.

Coney Island Film Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn  September 27 & 28th, 2003 Coney Island, New York 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, festival 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.                                 Bill, I am very pleased to inform you that "Aqua Burn" has been selected as the winner of the Best Documentary award for the 2003 Coney Island Short Film Festival. It was a pleasure meeting you at the festival. Laurie & I look forward to seeing more films from you in the future! regards, Rob Leddy Festival Director

New York International Film and Video Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn April 22nd-29th, 2004 Manhattan, New York   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. h     T 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.                                                                  Film Festival Devil                           Ashly Tired                                off to London   atnight as wpacked for the next day's flight, we were ecstatic that the film had been so well received and tha the New York premiere of Aqua Burn had been such a success. We were then looking forward to spending hxtweek introducing Aqua Burn to London.

London Burning Man Film Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn May 8th & 9th, 2004 Brixton, 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.

The purpose of this event is:

 -To bring the North Bay community together to better understand the values
and philosophy of Burning Man
 -To provide an opportunity for our community to be exposed to films that
they wouldn't otherwise see in mainstream media.
 -To raise funds for the Burning Man Regional Network and future North Bay
Regional Burning Man-related events.

   Open Secret Book Store Screening & Discussion

San Rafael, CA

Can't wait for Burning Man ? Get a taste of the playa with Burning Man sanctioned filmmaker Bill Breithaupt's films.

    3rd Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival

In another bout of brillant filmmaking Bill has once again completed his annual film in the month between Burning Man and the Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival. The final film in the Aqua Burn trilogy celebrates the Vault of Heaven theme of 2004. Having evolved into a serene and meditative incarnation, Astro Blaze maintains the magic and imagination that went into it's predecessors.

          Action/Cut Short Film Festival

Dear Bill,

On behalf of the Action/Cut Short Film Competiton 2004, it is my pleasure to warmly congratulate you for your wonderful film "AQUABURN" which received the ACTION/CUT SPECIAL JURY AWARD FOR DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM from our industry juries.

You should be very proud of your achievement, as the 2004 Competition was very challenging with almost a thousand film entries being screened through a process of
multiple jury committees. The five paramaters of judging were: Subject Originality, Content Realization, Visual-Storytelling, Production Values, and Viewing Engagement of Work.

Again, congrats for your terrific film winning this special Action/Cut 2004 Special Jury Award For Documentary Short Film, and we send you our very best
wishes for all your future filmmaking endeavors.

Best Regards,

Guy Magar
Action/Cut Short Film Competition - Founder

Film Featured: Burning Karma 

October 1st - 3rd, 2004

Coney Island, New York

Burning Karma was an official selection at the 2004 Coney Island Film Festival.

   Under the Couch Film & Video Arts Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn 

Costa Mesa, CA

The Only Strictly no glam Orange County Film and Video Arts Festival.

-Preview Screenings of the mostcutting edge documentaries-

Spinning live music mixes from
films entered in the festival.
 Wed. Nov. 17th @ Club Rain: Costa Mesa O.C., CA. 1700 Placentia and (17th Street)

Aqua Burn Headlined the 2004 Under the Couch Film & Video festival !
 

                                       Hi-MOM Film Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn

special kiosk viewing of Aqua Burn at the town library for an entire month.

                     Flint Film Festival

Flint, MI

Congratulations.  Your project, Aqua Burn, has been selected as an
official entry in the Flint Film Festival 2005.  
Thank you very much for submitting to our festival, and we wish you the best of luck in the festival judging .

           Crested Butte Reel Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn

Crested Butte, CO

Aqua Burn was an official selection of the 2005 Crested Butte Reel Festival

                  3rd Coney Island Film Festival

Coney Island, New York

Cinequest Viewer's Voice Online Film Festival

Film Featured: Aqua Burn

Feb. 15th, 2006

Oakland, CA

Cinequest Viewer’s Voice Online Film Festival,

                                                               Burn-on !!!!