Single Channel Video. 17 mins. 2023.
Inspired by the growth of the American craft beer movement, a group of Catholic monks in Spencer, Massachusetts produces America’s first “Trappist-certified” beer, a historically European tradition that signals growth opportunities for financially insecure monastic communities looking to preserve their unique way of life. “Ora et labora” is Latin for “work and prayer,” and is the motto of the Christian monastic life.
Ora Et Labora will receive a forthcoming screening on Maryland Public Television in early 2026. A making of essay will be be featured in the Summer 2026 issue of The Journal of Film and Video: Vol 78, Iss. 2.
Screenings and Awards:
Opening Night Showcase – 2025 Ocean City Film Festival – Ocean City, MD – March 6, 2025
Official Selection – 2024 Kanab Film Festival – Kanab, UT – May 2nd-5th, 2024
Best of Competition: Sound Engineering and Design – 2024 Broadcast Educators Association Media Arts Festival – April 2024.
“Ora Et Labora Screening.” American Academy of Religion, Western Region Conference. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. March 15-17th, 2024.
“Ora Et Labora – Peer Reviewed Screening.” Respondent: Broderick Fox of Occidental College. University Film and Video Association National Conference. July 14th, 2023. Online. Recipient of the juried Documentary Short Honorable Mention Award, and an honorarium.
Semi-Finalist – 2023 Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival – August 2023
Official Selection – 2023 Charlotte Film Festival – Charlotte, NC – September 27th, 2023
Official Selection – 2023 Fresh Coast Film Festival – Marquette, MI – October 19th, 2023
Broadcast Screenings
Fresh Coast Film Festival Flashback. Compilation of shorts – WMNU-TV PBS, Michigan Public Television. March 10th, 2024.
Mark J. Burchick 