Barbara Sumner Explained

Birth Place:	New Zealand
Birth Name:	Barbara Sumner
Spouse:	John Gilbert Thomas Burstyn
Children:	5, including Lili Sumner
Occupation:	Writer, filmmaker

Barbara Sumner (born 1960)^[1] is a New Zealand writer and film producer.^[2] Tree of Strangers, her memoir of adoption, loss and discovery, was published by Massey University Press in September 2020.^[3]

She co-founded the film production company Cloud South Films with her husband Thomas Burstyn, and has served as a writer for The New Zealand Herald.

Bibliography

• This Way of Life (2013)
• Tree of Strangers (2020)

Filmography

• One Man, One Cow, One Planet (2007, as producer and writer)
• This Way of Life (2009, as producer and writer)^{[4] [5]}
• Red White Black & Blue (2012, as producer)
• This Way of Life (2013)
• Some Kind of Love (2015, as producer and writer)

Awards

This Way of Life (2011):

• Shortlist 2011 Academy Awards
• Berlin International Film Festival, Jury Prize.
• Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Best Feature Film,
• Victoria Independent FF, Texas, Best Documentary
• Bend International FF, Oregon, Best Documentary 2012
• Bend International FF, Oregon, Best Feature Film, 2012
• Iowa Indie Film Festival 2011, People's Choice -
• Iowa Indie Film Festival 2011, Best Documentary
• Docville Official Selection 2011 Belgium
• DocEdge Festival Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Documentary 2011 Qantas Film Awards 2010, Best Documentary
• FIFO 2011 Special Jury Award
• Anuuruaboro Youth Jury Prize
• Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2010, Audience Award
• Plus Cameraimage nominated Best Cinematography, Poland 2010
• Sold to 22 countries

One Man, One Cow, One Planet:

• Best Environmental Conservation Film: CMS Vatravan, India
• Katherine Knight Award: EarthVision International Film Festival
• Best Non-Broadcast Film: Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
• Award of Excellence: The Accolade
• Sold to 16 countries

Notes and References

1. News: Stewart . David . Barbara Sumner, 60. . 28 November 2022 . Ageist . 22 April 2020.
2. Web site: Barbara Sumner Burstyn: a family's life. Radio New Zealand. 22 May 2015.
3. Web site: Barbara Sumner's website.
4. Web site: Anderson. John. Review: 'This Way of Life'. Variety. 22 May 2015.
5. Web site: Harvey. Helen. A way of life. Stuff.co.nz. 22 May 2015.