Zane Burko

A brutal, stylized crime short about a wounded thug driven by a mysterious inner voice to seek revenge, only to discover that violence demands a deadly price.

In a home basement, the indie band "Velvet Haze" is hitting a wall. What was supposed to be a high-stakes rehearsal for an upcoming gig quickly devolves into a chaotic clash of egos and existential dread. Between Ryder’s academic anxiety, Bimbo’s delusions of rockstar grandeur, and Ronnie’s questionable motivations for being in the band, the group is one wrong note away from a total implosion. As hours of failed songwriting turn into a floor littered with crumpled lyrics, the tension boils over into a full-scale meltdown. Exhausted and uninspired, the members must decide if they are just a fleeting distraction in each other's lives or if they have enough harmony left for one final performance.

For Zane's Secondary V IB project, he decided to create a documentary on the effects of lockdown on students during the pandemic. "The COVID Experience" is a short film/documentary by Zane Burko which delves into the mental, emotional and physical effects the lockdown has had on students during the pandemic.

A film centered around a young reseller stumbling upon an extraordinary mirror in a thrift store, only to realize that this mirror has been placed in his life to impart a valuable lesson about the dangers of excessive self-obsession.

The film is a thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of self-expression, societal judgment, and the influence of external opinions on an individual's self-worth. It centers around a female character who has tattoos on her body and raises questions about how people perceive her based on her choices and appearance. The film challenges the audience to reflect on the impact of their judgments and expectations on others and themselves. It addresses the issues of body autonomy, self-identity, and the complex interplay between personal choices and societal standards.

"Body Language" is a gripping silent film that explores the tumultuous dynamics of a deteriorating relationship within the confines of a stark, white room. The absence of dialogue heightens the intensity of the emotional turmoil as a couple sits across from each other, their faces etched with resentment and pain.

"The Sense" is a gripping short film directed by Zane Burko & Emma Orologio that explores the dark world of obsession and danger. It revolves around Kiara, played by Kiara Picone, an ordinary night student at Dawson College. After a long day of school, Kiara finds herself in a dim classroom where an unexpected encounter with a fellow student takes a sinister turn. The male student's persistent offer to walk her home raises suspicions as Kiara desperately tries to navigate her way home while discovering disturbing polaroid pictures of herself. The film follows Kiara as she feels constantly watched, her life becoming a twisted nightmare of obsession and stalking, with the man's basement filled with pictures and a menacing map marking her every move. When they become partners for a new project, Kiara's unease deepens, and her decision to explore the man's house uncovers a terrifying truth that leads to a chilling climax.