Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne - the tōtara in the great forest of Tāne has fallen.
It is with great sadness that SPADA acknowledges the death of Vincent Burke in Wellington yesterday.
As a producer for film and television Vincent and his company Top Shelf Productions created a diverse range of screen stories since releasing his first short film 'Gordon Bennet' in 1988. While best known for television documentaries, Vincent never lost his passion for film. In 1995 he produced the New Zealand-Germany-UK co-production, Flight of the Albatross which received the award for Best Children’s Feature Film at the Berlin Children’s Film Festival. He was a co-producer on Jason Stutter’s Predicament and in 2017 produced Paul Oremland’s 100 Men and executive produced Team Tibet – Home Away from Home. In 2019 he was executive producer on Vea Mafile’o and Jeremiah Tauamiti’s feature debut, For My Father’s Kingdom which had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
In addition to being an award-winning producer, Vincent was also a champion of other filmmakers, and throughout his career he mentored and supported many in the industry to develop and produce their stories.
At the SPADA Conference the South Pacific Pictures 'Big Pitch' is always a highlight, and for many years the success of the competition has resulted from the careful selection of finalists and the insightful feedback and encouragement Vincent gave each participant as they sharpened their pitches and delivery in the lead-up to the event.
Vincent is a past President of SPADA, the NZ Film and Video Training Board, and in 2012 was named SPADA’s Industry Champion for his lengthy career and for giving back as a mentor, mediator, and supporter of a range of industry initiatives.
SPADA Co-Presidents Sharon Menzies and Richard Fletcher said, “Vincent's astuteness and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by our members and by the wider industry. He was a tireless champion of people and stories, and was always willing to share his experiences and knowledge with those around him."
SPADA sends thoughts of love and care to all who are affected by this sad news.
