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Burton Buller Filmography




From 1970 to 2011

Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator

Winner DeRose/Hinkhouse Award of Excellence

An hour-long documentary airing on ABC and NBC television affiliates about overcoming mistrust, hatred and violence. It looks at the history of peacemaking in both Christian and Muslim traditions, and includes stories of how these faith groups work for peace.The goal of the documentary is to helpnurture an atmosphere in society for better understanding ofeach otherand a more peaceful future for our world. A Buller Films LLC production. (2011)

Long Road Back: Ex-Offenders’ Struggle for Acceptance

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator, Videographer

The Communicator Award of Excellence

An hour-long documentary airing on ABC and NBC television affiliates. The United States is on an incarceration course that correction officials say is unsustainable. Not only does the United States incarcerate more people than any nation on earth, it incarcerates a greater number per capita than any other nation. This documentary exposes some of the difficulties ex-offenders face in finding jobs, finding their place in the social order, and obtaining housing and medical services. A Buller Films LLC production. (2009)

PAX Service: An Alternative to War

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator, Videographer, Editor

Videography Award of Excellence

An hour-long documentary airing on ABC and NBC television affiliates. Between 1951 and 1976 some 1200 young men refused to join the military. Instead they volunteered to build homes for WWII refugees, taught African subsistence farmers modern farming methods, helped Greek villages preserve food for the winter months, and built a road through the green Hell of the Paraguayan Chaco. This is their story. (2008)

The Amish: Back Roads to Heaven

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator, Videographer, Editor

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, hosts the oldest Amish community in North America. But other Amish settlements also exist in Pennsylvania. The religious paths these Amish communities travel can be strikingly diverse. What emerges is a mosaic of Amish life and practice quite different from the common Amish stereotype. A Buller Films LLC production. (2007)

Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living With Addiction

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

Videography Award of Distinction

An hour-long documentary airing on ABC and NBC television affiliates. This television documentary examines the role that chemical dependency plays in family dynamics. While the tragic results are apparent, this program emphasizes that with emerging forms of treatment, recovery is possible. For families willing to do the hard work, the effects of this disease can be reversed and families restored to health and wholeness. (2007)

Building on Faith: Making Poverty Housing History

Producer, Videographer

Winner DeRose/Hinkhouse Award of Excellence

A one-hour documentary airing on Hallmark Channel, ABC and NBC television affiliates looking at the issue of affordable housing in the United States, and how people of faith are involved at both the individual level and at a public policy level to create more affordable housing. (2006)

Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness

Producer, Videographer

Davey Award, VOICE Award, Videography Award of Distinction

An hour-long documentary broadcast on Hallmark Channel, ABC and NBC television affiliates dealing with stigma, recovery and hope regarding mental illness. The program offers an inside look at what it is like to live with a mental illness and how individuals and their families find their way through a morass of medical, governmental, societal and spiritual issues. Ten persons from across the U.S. and many sectors of the population with mental illness tell their stories, and experts and advocates in the field add perspectives and insights. (2005)

The Amish: How They Survive

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator, Videographer, Editor

The Amish live far outside the cultural mainstream. Preferring community to technology, the Amish live their lives in close fellowship with each other. Within their religious communities, everyone agrees on what technologies to adopt, what clothes to wear and what horse-powered transportation to drive. This documentary takes you on an intimate journey into Amish life and culture. A Buller Films LLC production. (2005)

Hunger No More: Faces Behind The Facts

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

Over the past two decades, large strides have been made in reducing hunger in many countries. Still, hunger persists, and food insecurity in America remains a troubling and persistent problem. This television documentary, produced for the National Council of Churches for airing on ABC TV, examines the role of people of faith in reducing hunger. Interviewees such as Senator Elizabeth Dole and former Senator George McGovern state emphatically that hunger both domestically and abroad can be eliminated. But it will take changes in public policy to make this happen. (2004)

Fierce Goodbye: Living In the Shadow of Suicide

Executive Producer, Program Producer

Winner, Worldfest Houston – Gold Special Jury Award

A one-hour television special created for the Hallmark Channel, ABC and NBC affiliates examining the difficult issues those family and friends left behind face when their loved ones die by suicide. 30,000 people each year die by suicide, yet it is seldom acknowledged. It is one of society’s dark secrets. The program relates the stories of survivors, those family and friends left behind, as they struggle to overcome the stigma of suicide and to rebalance their lives. (2004)

The Church in a Changing China

Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator, Videographer, Editor

An 18-minute video for the China Educational Exchange Program that interprets the role of the Christian church in today’s China. A Buller Films LLC production. (2003)

Holmes County, Our Home

Producer, Videographer, Editor

A 16-minute documentary on the Amish of Holmes County, Ohio, for use in the Mennonite Information Center in Berlin, Ohio. A Buller Films Inc. production. (2002)

Every Church a Peace Church

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

A 15-minute documentary detailing the advent of the movement that advocates for every church becoming a church dedicated to furthering peace and justice. A Buller Films Inc. production. (2002)

Journey Toward Forgiveness

Executive Producer

Videographer Award of Excellence, Communicator Award and International Video and Film Festival Silver Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival Chris Award

A one-hour television special aired on the ABC Television Network that examines the importance of coming to terms with the perpetrator of violence when violent death takes a loved one’s life. Aired on ABC TV, Hallmark Channel, FamilyNet, and Crossroads Television. (2001)

Make Contact: The Video

Producer, Cinematographer, Editor

A 14-minute commemorative video of the Mennonite Brethren Church's National Youth Convention '99 for high school aged youth. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1999)

Broken Levees, Shattered Dreams

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

A 20-minute report for Mennonite Disaster Service of their work in the Midwest after the 1993 floods along the Mississippi River. Features the community of Hannibal, MO and MDSers from across North America. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1994)

Memorial Health Center Recruitment Video

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

This 10-minute recruitment video is aimed at bringing physicians and other health care workers to Sidney, NE. Emphasis is on the facilities and activities of the health center, but quality of life issues are also addressed. A Buller Films Inc. production. (Circa 1990)

City of Gothenburg

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

A short video promoting the city of Gothenburg, Nebraska, as a desirable business location. A Buller Films Inc. production. (Circa 1990)

Sidney Economic Development

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

A short video promoting Sidney, Nebraska, as a desirable location for business investments. (Circa 1990)

Hope Is The Last Thing To Die

Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

Recorded on location in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this 20 minute documentary explores the lives and circumstances of a small group of the 42 million homeless children in this country. Death threats, extortion, murder and common street violence deter many of these children from receiving a formal education and serve to plunge them deeper and deeper into lives of desperation and hopelessness. A small group of concerned citizens is begin­ning to fight for basic human rights for these children, many of whom are as young as 8 years old. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1990)

The Mennonite Brethren Church: A Missionary Movement

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A three-part series of renowned pastor and educator J. B. Toews explaining the genesis of the Mennonite Brethren Church and how its characterization as a missionary church has informed its activities since that time. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1988)

Metallic Reloading

Producer, Director, Videographer, Editor

A short training video to be included with Hornady Manufacturing metallic reloaders. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1988)

The University of Dubuque: Commitment to Success

Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

A 12- minute documentary designed to launch the 1987 capital cam­paign for UD. Takes a light, joyful look at campus life. Easy on narration and full of music and pleasing visuals. Designed to be more than a “campaign” film, it is usable for nearly all aspects of university promotion. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1988)

Family Health Foundation of America / American Academy of Family Physicians

Director, Cinematographer, Editor

A promotional video encouraging pharmaceutical corporations to become associate members of the Family Health Foundation of America whereby, they would have direct access to the 35,000 family practice member physicians. Produced by Buller Films Inc. (1987)

Nebraska: The Movement is Just Beginning

Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

With the Omaha Symphony as both visual and audio background, this 10- minute promotional film created for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development gives a whirlwind tour of Nebraska, portraying the state’s wide range of recreational, social, cul­tural and industrial features to foreign entities inquiring about business opportunities in the state.. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1987)

Echoes of an Era

Producer, Videographer, Writer

A documentary celebrating the 125th anniversary of the founding of Henderson, Nebraska. Produced by Buller Films Inc. (1987)

Shot Shell Reloading Video

Producer, Director, Videographer, Editor

A short training video to be included with Hornady Manufacturing shot shell reloaders. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1987)

The Water of Life

Producer, Cinematographer

A 60-minute Canadian television special examining the complexities and some of the failures of Third World development when carried out using western assumptions and technology. Looks at devel­opment through the prism of water. Calls for new awareness in implementing development projects. Filmed in Africa, the Mid-East and North America. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1987)

Give Me Your Hand

Cinematographer, Editor

Produced for Mennonite Central Committee, this 29-minute film details their work in Bolivia. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1986)

Heimat fur Heimatlose

Cinematographer

A Dave Dueck Production (1986)

Profiles Of Excellence

Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A 25-minute promotional film extolling the excellence of the University of Nebraska by taking a people oriented approach to filming, allowing the people of the University to tell their own story. Part 1 of a series which launched a “Profiles of Excellence” promotion campaign. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1985)

Excellence In Action

Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

Part 2 of the University of Nebraska’s “Profiles of Excel­lence” campaign. This 6-minute film takes a specific look at the Lincoln campus, examining the variety of programs available to students. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1985)

A Choice For Quality

Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

Part 3 of the University of Nebraska’s “Profiles of Excel­lence” campaign. The Omaha campus with its heavy emphasis on the commuter student makes a unique chapter in the U of N story. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1985)

The Mission Continues

Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

Part 4 of the University of Nebraska’s “Profiles of Excel­lence” campaign. At the U of N Medical Center in Omaha, students learn the latest medical techniques and procedures through heavy involvement in research. Providing the primary health care facility in the state and training students to further that care is the mission forwarded in this film. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1985)

The Hutterites: To Care and Not To Care

Producer, Cinematographer, Editor

Winner of CINE Golden Eagle and numerous other awards and honors.

Documentary interpreting the Hutterites, the world’s oldest communitarians. Hutterites still live much like their ances­tors of the 16th century, avoiding contact with the outside world. Filmed inside the reclusive communes, this film presents an authentic look at one of North America’s most unusual religious/social groups. Aired on National Public Broadcasting Network and The Discovery Chan­nel. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1984)

From A Dark House to One Filled With Light: A Refugee’s Journey to Somalia

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A 19-minute 16mm film interpreting Church World Service work in Somalia, filmed in one of the many refugee camps established near the Ethiopian border to house people fleeing the fighting over a border dispute. Arriving extremely malnourished, many die shortly after arriving. Others live, but only as a result of aid from the international community. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1984)

Tabor College: Keeper of the Song

Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor

A short video to be used in Tabor College’s fundraising campaign. A Buller Films Inc. production. (Circa 1984)

NC+: Seed For A Productive Land

Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor

A 22-minute sales film interpreting NC+ Hybrids, one of the top 10 seed corn companies in the U.S. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1983)

Discover Nebraska

Director, Writer, Videographer, Editor

Series of eleven television programs for the Nebraska De­partment of Economic Development, Travel and Tourism, promot­ing Nebraska’s tourist attractions. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1983)

Strasbourg: City of Hope

Cinematographer, Editor

A 30-minute docudrama about the historical significance of the city of Strasbourg, France, during the Reformation period. Produced for Mennonite World Conference by Daystar Productions, Burton Buller, CEO (1983)

The Jewel Reclaimed

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

Winner CINE Golden Eagle

A half-hour documentary that depicts the role of international develop­ment agencies, especially Church World Service, in the recon­struction of Kampuchea (Cambodia). A Buller Films Inc. production. (1982)

606: The Persistence of Community

Cinematographer, Editor

Produced in cooperation with Virginia Public Television station WVPT, this one-hour documentary reviews the presence of Mennonites in Virginia. Produced by Buller Films Inc. (1981)

Mennonites of Ontario

Cinematographer, Editor

A half-hour documentary on the historical and contemporary role that Mennonites have played in the province of Ontario. Created for The Meeting Place, a Mennonite interpretive center targeting tourists coming to Ontario’s Amish community. Produced by Buller Films Inc. (1981)

The Plains States - 6 one-half hour segments

Director, Cinematographer, Editor

Series of 6 documentaries portraying the historical develop­ment of the plains states of the U.S.A. A Buller Films Inc. production. (Circa 1977)

The Question of Death

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

Nebraska’s laws and views governing capital punishment are examined in this half-hour film by citizens varying from attorneys and judges to legislators and a death row inmate at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Both pro and con views of the death penalty are discussed. A Buller Films Inc. production. (1976)

The Amish: A People of Preservation

Cinematographer, Technical Director, Editor

Winner CINE Golden Eagle, Golden Venus

This documentary takes a sociological look at the Amish people of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, seeking to under­stand their faith which holds technological advances at bay while strongly reinforcing a faith community. Released as Public Broadcasting Service special, excerpted on CBS:60 Minutes. Distributed by Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation. (1975)

Bangladesh Plowman

Director, Cinematographer, Editor

A half- hour film documenting the work of Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh after its war of liberation. (Circa 1973)

Good Walls Make Good Neighbors

Producer, Director, Videographer, Editor

A short film sponsored by CROP on its program in Jamaica. (C. 1973)

Give Us Daily Bread

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A half- hour MCC film on the connections it makes between food production in North
America and food shortages in undeveloped parts of the world. (C. 1972)

Caring Is Sharing

Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A Mennonite Central Committee film on Mennonite relief sales, focusing on the California Relief Sale. (C. 1972)

Call of the African Church

Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor

A 33- minute film documenting the role of the church in African society and its call for North American Christians to become involved in the efforts to build social infrastructures that had been assigned to it by the governments of Africa. (1971)

City Poverty: An MCC Report

Director, Cinematographer, Editor

A short film on Mennonite Central Committee’s work in Atlanta, GA (1970)

About the Author

Burton Buller

Burton Buller, a native of Henderson, Nebraska, now living in Massanutten, Virginia, began working with film in 1968 for the Mennonite Central Committee. His subsequent work has included being CEO of Family Life Network, Director of Third Way Media and now as managing partner of Buller Films. He is past Chair of the Electronic Programming Committee of the National Council of Churches. His films have won nineteen awards, including the Cine Golden Eagle, and have been broadcast on CBS (“Sixty Minutes”), ABC and NBC and on the Learning, Discovery and Hallmark channels. Burton is a graduate of Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas, and the University of Nebraska (M.A., Journalism). He attends Shalom Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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