Breath of Fresh Air
Director · Producer · EditorA documentary about the skateboarders who organized, raised funds, and fought for a skate park in Wasilla, Alaska.

Director · Producer · Writer · Editor
Michael Burns is an American filmmaker with over two decades of experience in independent cinema and the founder of Burnhouse Pictures.




About
Michael Burns is an American filmmaker with over two decades of experience in independent cinema. As a director, producer, and writer, his work is marked by emotionally charged storytelling, grounded performances, and a distinctly raw visual aesthetic.
His films Peaks and Valleys and Proper Binge are available on Tubi and other streaming platforms, and have drawn attention for their unflinching exploration of addiction, emotional isolation, and redemption. Peaks and Valleys in particular has found a growing online audience, resonating with viewers for its honest, intimate portrayal of fractured relationships and the quiet resilience of recovery.
Burns is the founder of Burnhouse Pictures and the driving creative force behind multiple narrative features and shorts. His work often blends grit with vulnerability, pushing into emotionally charged territory with both stylistic boldness and restraint. In 2024, he directed and produced Whispers of the North, a regionally rooted drama shot across Central Florida and Alaska.
In addition to his film work, Burns also teaches and mentors emerging filmmakers while continuing to lead his own independent productions. His focus remains on creating bold, character-driven films that challenge, provoke, and resonate.
Biography on IMDb ↗Interviews
Feature films
A documentary about the skateboarders who organized, raised funds, and fought for a skate park in Wasilla, Alaska.
Proper Binge explores the life of an alcoholic, Burgess Zwink, striving for sobriety after a drunken mishap threatens his best friend’s life.
Wrapped in plastic and thrown from a plane into a rural Alaskan lake would usually mean the end of the story. For Bailey, it’s just the beginning.
A resilient young woman navigates the silent solitude of her world and confronts the turbulent echoes of family addiction and buried secrets while forging a path toward redemption.