This educational short film serves as a tool for cultural preservation and shares the rich history of the US Virgin Islands. The documentary features historians, artists and cultural ambassadors sharing their knowledge of the bloody labor revolt of 1878 on the island of St. Croix.
The Fireburn documentary was selected as the 2021 Best Documentary at the Chicago Indie Film Awards, as well as at the Djarfogo International Film Festival (West Africa); it received the 2021 Best Producer award by Luminous Frames Film Festival (Denmark); and the 2021 Audience Choice award at the International Black & Diversity Film Festival (Canada). It was nominated as a semi-finalist at the Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival and nominated for either Best Director, Best Doc Short or Best Experimental Short in 12 different film festivals for 2021. The documentary is airing on PBS.
For information about how you can purchase licensing rights to screen this film for your school, or organize a screening, visit New Day Films.
To order DVDs for home viewing only:
“[…] a powerful short film on the human rights violations that occurred during the Fireburn — the bloody Labor Revolt of 1878, on the Island of St. Croix”
~The Virgin Islands Consortium
Staff Consortium
“Short films are making progressive waves this past year, especially one project by artist and filmmaker Angela Golden Bryan.”
~Times Square Chronicles
Elisabeth Taylor
“The documentary explores the inhumane work and living conditions that existed prior to the revolt and takes an in depth look at the women who were called “Queens” due to their leadership.”
~The Virgin Islands Daily News
Lori Abbotts
“Thank you for making this documentary. These women deserve to be legends. Keep this history alive.”
“[…] a short documentary that pays homage to an event significant to Virgin Islands history.”
~The St. Thomas Source
Adisha Penn
“The documentary helps bring the story to a global stage and new audiences.”
~The Fox Magazine
The Editors Of The Fox Magazine
