Single Channel, Self Reflexive, Poetic Essay.
what it felt like
Currently in post production
Chronicling an autobiographical year in four trimesters (how the timeline of pregnancy and the first 12 weeks after pregnancy is divided) with emphasis on the physicality of conception, pregnancy, labor, birth and unprocessed trauma on the mind and body. The creation of the film explores the convergence of digital smartphone applications and analog 8mm celluloid film stock. Depicting a raw portrait of the often fragmented romanticization of memory and how we psychologically process the stages of our experiences, The Year I Was Pregnant explores the journey a birthing parent takes within their own body and how much of that physical and mental conversation happens internally; in silence.
The same week I found out I was pregnant, Roe V. Wade was overturned and as my pregnancy quickly became high risk, my mental state had a permanent ticker tape of current events compounded with my own anxieties. This personal account of a pregnancy and birth experience prompts universal conversations regarding the social injustices surrounding body autonomy. The viewing experience may prompt viewers into processing or sharing their own fertility and birth stories and ultimately why a person should have authority over decisions for their own body as a minimum.
Our Time Kitchen
Currently in post production.
Single Channel Documentary Feature
Directed by: Jena Burchick
Produced by: Jena Burchick & Boob Sweat Films
Our Time Kitchen is the documentary of two Baltimore chefs, Cat Smith (she/her) and Kiah Gibian (she/they) as they race against the clock to build and open a shared commercial kitchen, called “Our Time Kitchen,” which will support BIPOC women, LGBTQIA+ folkx, and immigrants as they create sustainable businesses of their own. Chefs Cat and Kiah are a powerhouse team that came together out of years of resilience and experience surviving Baltimore’s food system. They believe that it is time for a new collective kitchen model and over the next year, they will race the clock to realize their dream.
You can follow the journey of chefs Cat and Kiah here: @ourtimekitchenfilm
To Support Cat and Kiah’s Endeavor: @ourtimekitchen
Single Channel Documentary short
Directed by: Mark Burchick & Jena Burchick
What does it mean to follow one’s calling into an abbey and a brewery? Inspired by the growth of the American craft beer movement, a group of Catholic monks in Spencer, Massachusetts produces America’s first “Trappist-certified” beer, a historically European tradition that offers an opportunity for the community to preserve their unique way of life.
“Ora et labora” is Latin for “work and prayer,” and is the motto of the Christian monastic life.
Click on the image to view a teaser for the film.
Broadcast
Fresh Coast Film Festival Flashback. Compilation of shorts – WMNU-TV PBS, Michigan Public Television. March 10th, 2024.
Awards & Recognition
Peer Reviewed Screening.” Respondent: Broderick Fox of Occidental College. University Film and Video Association National Conference. July 14th, 2023. Online. Recipient of the juried Documentary Short Honorable Mention Award, and an honorarium.
Semi-Finalist – 2023 Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival – August 2023
Best of Competition: Sound Engineering and Design – 2024 Broadcast Educators Association Media Arts Festival – April 2024.
Official Selection
Kanab Film Festival, USA, 2024
UFVA National Conference, USA, 2023
Charlotte Film Festival, USA, 2023
Fresh Coast Film Festival, USA, 2023
Ora et Labora
Currently touring festivals & disseminating
Mom & M
See Mom & M page for more information, how to connect about the film and all other inquiries.
A Regional Emmy Award Winning Feature-length Documentary. Released 2020.
Directed, Produced, Filmed & Edited by: Jena Burchick
Produced by: Lux Daze Media & Jessica Baroody-Saada
Mom & M is an intimate portrait of modern American parenthood. Meet Nikki, a transgender writer; Elise, a social media influencer; and Sansa, their adopted daughter who battles leukemia. Together they navigate what happens when your partner comes out as transgender while caring for an ill child and that remission is not the end to life’s challenges.
Broadcast
2022-2024 Maryland Public for continuous television air dates on MPT & MPT2 as well as online digital streaming.
Awards & Recognition:
Emmy Nomination and Winner, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, National Capital Chapter. Category: Cultural/Topical Documentary. 2023
Best Short Film, Virginia Queer Film Festival, VA, USA, 2023
Best LGBTQ Film, Wine, Women & Film Festival, LA, USA, 2022
Docs Without Borders, Award of Excellence, DE, USA, 2021
Semi-Finalist, Lake Travis Film Festival, TX, USA, 2021
Award of Merit for LGBTQ content, IndieFest Film Awards, CA, USA, 2021
Click on the image to view the trailer.
A Regional Emmy Award Winning Documentary short
Directed by: Jena Burchick & Mark Burchick
An oyster farmer, a shucker, and two brewers create Maryland's first farm to table Oyster Stout beer, reviving a time-honored tradition. The Local Oyster Stout hopes to bridge our passion for growing up around the water, supporting small businesses, and drinking good beer into a captivating story to share with friends, family, and those who thirst for connection (and beer!).
Broadcast
Maryland Public Television, Public Broadcast Programming TV & Web, April 23, 2020; April 24, 2021; April 21, 2022; April 25, 2024
Awards & Recognition:
Emmy Nomination and Winner, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, National Capital Chapter.
Fish and Wildlife Film Festival, Water Docs Film Festival
Official Selection:
Sierra Nevada Film Fest USA, Food Film Fest Prague, Les Bois Film Fest USA, Fish and Wildlife Film Fest USA, Fresh Coast Film Fest USA, Life and Sciences Film Fest Prague, Philadelphia Environmental Film Fest, Water Docs Film Fest Canada, Chesapeake Film Fest
Click on the image to view the full film.
The Local Oyster Stout
Dear Country
Single Channel Docu-narrative short
Directed by: Jena Burchick
Four brave women share their unique paths to the 2017 Women’s March on Washington.
Created in response to the 2016 presidential election and hopes for American women after Trump’s election.
This film was created in support of the Women's March by an all female cast and production crew.
Awards & Recognition
Made In Baltimore Short Film Fest & Colorado International Activism Film Fest
Official Selection
Annapolis Film Fest USA, Short to the Point Bucharest, Eve Film Fest Canada, Cardiff Mini Film Fest UK, Race to JusticeUSA, Global Peace Film Fest, Made In Baltimore Short Film Fest, Born In Baltimore Film & Photography Fest, Colorado International Activism Film Fest, Our Stories Virtual Festival Baltimore.
Click on the image to view the full film.