When Michael Burtch began his project to find Group of Seven painting sites, he never imagined his research would result in a Canadian Screen Award.
Even while sitting in the audience last night, he was not expecting the end result of that project — the documentary film Painted Land — to take home The Barbara Sears Award for Best Editorial Research.
“Last night we were just enjoying ourselves at the gala. Our category came up and I was ready to applaud someone else when they called our name,” said Burtch.
“I was literally — and I am not being falsely modest — I was really resigned and honoured just for the group having been nominated,” he added.
Burtch shares the award with Gary and Joanie McGuffin, Nancy Lang, Rebecca Middleton and Emma Hambly, who all worked in a research capacity on the film.
Although he has won a number of awards, Burtch considers this one to be a pinnacle achievement.
