From scholarship recipient to award-winning filmmaker, Bennett Curran’s creative journey continues to gain national momentum. With support from the College of Fine Arts for his documentary California is Burning, the Arizona Online Film & Television student has seen the film surge onto the festival circuit with remarkable success. Curran’s capstone project made its World Premiere last month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, earned the Best Student Film award at the Oceanside Film Festival, and is set for upcoming screenings at the Pasadena and Phoenix film festivals – with more selections potentially on the horizon. As California is Burning reaches wider audiences, Curran reflects on the film’s reception, and what this milestone moment means for his future as a storyteller.
As usual, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival hosted an array of acclaimed filmmakers this year, including Academy Award nominees Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao and Joachim Trier, among others. What did it mean to you to premiere California is Burning at such a prestigious event?
Words cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity to World Premiere California is Burning at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. To be able to uplift the voices of Altadena residents and first responders on this scale is the highest honor. My life was forever changed by the compassion I experienced while creating this film.
Both Santa Barbara and Oceanside sparked strong audience engagement, with in-depth post-screening Q&As and busy media lines. At Santa Barbara, you spent nearly an hour speaking with outlets ranging from student journalists to established press. What was that experience like, and how did those conversations with audiences and media shape your understanding of the film’s reach and impact?
It truly is a privilege to connect with audiences and press outlets in raising awareness of Altadena’s resilient story. Throughout the film’s journey, I have had the honor of speaking with numerous residents, from Altadena and beyond, who lost their homes to wildfires. My hope is that the film creates space for reflection, recognition and community. If the film allows residents to feel seen and heard, even in a small way, that will have been the greatest reward.
I’ve also loved speaking to student journalists who are passionate about independent film and are inspired by the film’s journey to take action in producing their own projects.
In January, you were one of 11 students selected to join the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television’s student trip to the Sundance Film Festival. How did that experience, along with guidance from TFTV faculty help prepare you for navigating festivals like Santa Barbara and Oceanside?
The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television’s student trip to the Sundance Film Festival greatly influenced my preparation and goals for California is Burning’s festival circuit. The experience of watching directors premiere their films and engage with audiences at post-screening Q&As taught me how to promote my film in professional interview settings. Guidance from TFTV’s Kerryn Negus and Prof. Jacob Bricca taught me the inner workings of festival strategy. Additionally, our exclusive conversations with working filmmakers taught me how to approach a World Premiere not only as a celebration of the film, but as an opportunity to network and develop creative relationships for future projects.
Sundance was my first film festival experience, and I learned what to expect as a filmmaker at SBIFF through the volunteer shifts, filmmaker panels, networking events, and screenings. I am beyond grateful to have connected with other University of Arizona alumni and students throughout the process!
Looking ahead, how do you hope California is Burning impacts conversations about wildfire, community, and climate issues beyond the festival circuit?
I hope that California is Burning serves as a reminder that we are living through a climate emergency that directly affects real communities and families. While it may feel like control is out of our hands, local preparedness, mutual aid and civic engagement matter. The Eaton and Palisades Fires will not be the last in Southern California, and I hope this film encourages proactive conversations rather than reactive ones.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
As an actor, I’m excited to share that I play a recurring character in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series Criminal, set to be released later this year. As well, I’m on set for a feature film this week and look forward to sharing more!
In filmmaking, I have a narrative short film and feature script in development. I plan to continue making documentaries and am currently searching for the next story.
I’m beyond grateful that the University of Arizona offers grants and scholarships to support students through their creative journeys. Thank you to College of Fine Arts donors Kyria Sabin for inspiring students to act on climate emergencies with the Expanding Horizons: Arts & Environment Fund, as well as to Sylvia and Herbert Burton for their generosity in supporting my film with the Medici Scholar Award!