Burning the Future: Coal In America

Filmmaker David Novack examines the explosive forces that have set in motion a groundswell of conflict between the coal industry and residents of the State of West Virginia. Confronted by an emerging coal-based US energy policy, local activists watch the nation praise coal without regard to the devastation caused by its extraction. Faced with toxic ground water, the obliteration of 1.4 million acres of mountains, and a government that appeases the industry, the people in the film demonstrate a strength of purpose and character in their improbable fight to arouse the nation's and the world's help in protecting their mountains, saving their families and preserving their way of life.

Trailer

Credits

Director/Producer/Writer: David Novack
Producer: Alexis Zoullas
Executive Producers: Donald Rosenfeld, CJ Follini
Cinematographers: Scott Shelley, Samuel Henriques
Editor/Writer: Richard Hankin
Composer: Raz Mesinai
Running Time: 89 min.
Website: www.burningthefuture.org

About The Filmmaker

DAVID NOVACK has been a producer, post supervisor and associate producer for the acclaimed Showtime/United Nations co-production What's Going On. He launched RCN Cable's channel, iTTv, and has associate-produced for PBS/WGHB's Frontline. Novack has written for 4 Kids Entertainment and BNN/Camera Planet. In audio post, Novack has enjoyed a successful career as re-recording mixer/sound designer, recently adding a major new opera by Roger Waters to his credits. Additionally, Novack was the managing director of Gun For Hire Post, a New York-based post-production facility. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Berklee College of Music.

Awards (selected):

International Documentary Association Pare Lorentz Award
International Visual Communications Association London Clarion Award
Montana Cine International Film Festival: Golden Cine Award
West Virginia Filmmakers' Festival: Best Film
Society of Environmental Journalists: Best In-depth Television Reporting on the Environment
Tallahassee Filmmakers' Festival: Best Documentary