With a red carpet event, Bosque Film Society host independent film “No Small Sacrifice” in a free to the public screening at the historic Cliftex Theatre in Clifton Tuesday, April 15
By BRYAN DAVIS
Bosque Film Society Founder Board Member & Historian
It will be a sweet homecoming for Los Angeles filmmaker Doug Burch when he returns to his native Bosque County for a special screening of his new independent film, No Small Sacrifice, hosted by the Bosque Film Society and presented free to the public at the historic Cliftex Theater at 6:30 p.m. April 15.
As the writer and director, Burch will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A following the screening of the full-length feature.
Written based partly on memories from his own past growing up in Valley Mills, Burch shot the film in May 2024 near Alvarado, along with several Bosque County locations. Burch says the film’s storyline will be familiar to many with local roots and ties to the land.
Two brothers, Carl and Teddy, are at odds about their family inheritance, primarily the farm their parents cherished. The men struggle with how, or if, to honor their family legacy, while battling their own personal demons and complicated relationship.
“This is truly a Bosque County movie,” Burch explained by phone interview from his home in California, where he has lived for more than 45 years with his wife, Sherry. “I wrote the script based upon people I knew and things I experienced growing up. I’m hoping all the dynamics among the characters will resonate with those who see the movie. It’s a tribute to the small-town people who aren’t often thought about, talked about or depicted on the screen.”
In 2005, Burch and Sam Ingraffia became writing partners and founded Little Dog Productions. The company works to produce films, pilots, features, short films, and internet series that have won numerous awards. Works developed under Little Dog umbrella include the features “Wages of Sin,” “The Lost One,” and “Midnight Mover.” There were also corporate films, short films, and “Night Walker,” a six-part internet series.
“We wanted to develop films that weren’t all car chases or sci-fi with million-dollar budgets,” Burch said.
Burch continues to focus on final tweaks for “No Small Sacrifice,” his third full-length movie shot over several weeks in May 2024 with local filming taking place in Valley Mills or local ranches. A few old friends appear in the movie, including Valley Mills bank President John Gilliam and Clifton native Will Godby, a founding board member of the Bosque Film Society.
The first preview for the film was hosted March 21 in Los Angeles for the cast and crew, and Burch looks forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones April 15 at The Cliftex, where he spent many happy hours with friends while growing up in Bosque County.
“I’m looking forward to folks from Valley Mills, Clifton, and Bosque County seeing it,” Burch said of his latest project, which harkens back to the beloved people and places of his youth. “It’s really an homage to the people I grew up with and times I came from. It reflects a dying part of Americana. To me it’s a modern day western.”
As for his future, Burch says retirement isn’t in the plans. “You do this because you love it. It’s never really been work. I get to be around amazing people and there’s always something new to learn and hopefully to create something special if you’re lucky.”
Burch said the process of making “No Small Sacrifice” was no sacrifice at all. “It’s all very energizing,” he said. “It’s what life is supposed to be. It keeps me going and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”