Director Portfolio
Explore Short films by Hansen Bursic
Hansen Bursic
Hansen Bursic is an award-winning film director and writer currently based out of Los Angeles, CA. For the past four years, Bursic has been working as an independent filmmaker, journalist and media consultant in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Much of his work has been dedicated to telling transparent, meaningful stories that center marginalized voices. Through both fiction and nonfiction film, Bursic has explored a variety of social issues including transgender rights, rural representation, and LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination all through personal, character-focused films.
AWARDS
Bursic has accepted multiple awards during his career as a filmmaker. Most recently, Bursic was given an Outstanding Writing/Directing Award from the prestigious Freese Foundation for his film “Halloween 1987.” His 2017 film “The Toothmans” also went home with several awards including the Relationship First Award from the Foundation for The Contemporary Family and a Best Documentary Award from the Lancaster International Short Film Festival.
AFFILIATIONS
Bursic is the Digital Communications Coordinator for the International Documentary Association (IDA). He recently worked as the Lead Media Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Values Campaign, a campaign advocating for sexuality, gender identity, and expression to be added to Pennsylvania’s state nondiscrimination protections. He also serves on the editorial board and as a contributor to CinéSPEAK’s online film journal. Other publications his writing has appeared in include Documentary Magazine, QBurgh and QueerPGH. Bursic has a BFA in Film Directing from Temple University.
Latest Writing and Press
From bylines to press coverage, read new content by and about Hansen.
6 Tips for Documentary Filmmakers on How to Better Serve Participants with Gender-Based Trauma
It is no secret that documentary filmmaking has a complicated legacy when it comes to supporting the survivors of gender-based violence. Even with the best intentions, many filmmakers fall into[…]
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LGBTQ Documentaries that Take a Deeper Look at Coming Out
The act of “coming out” as a member of the LGBTQ community is often the defining moment of films about queer and trans people. Yet many of these films still[…]
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Filmmaker David Weissman on Building Intergenerational Bridges for Queer Men
As I moved to Los Angeles this year, I couldn’t help but start to feel haunted by anti-aging culture. It permeates this city and it feels especially powerful in queer spaces. Although it doesn’t have a major effect on me personally, it reminded me of conversations I have had with my friend David Weissman, who has made it part of his personal mission to cross intergenerational divides with his films.
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