Burkitt

A documentary film exploring the life of Irish surgeon, Denis Burkitt, who discovered Burkitt’s lymphoma as told by filmmaker Éanna Mac Cana, a survivor of this cancer.

A man who turned simple observations into major scientific discoveries. Dr Denis Burkitt holds a unique place in medical history. While working as a surgeon in Uganda in the late 1950s, Burkitt not only described a completely new form of lymphoma in children, but mapped its geographical distribution; suggested a viral cause; developed a treatment and then a cure for the disease which would go on to bear his name. 

First time filmmaker, Éanna Mac Cana, creates a unique experience combining his personal recordings as an inpatient being treated for Burkitt’s lymphoma with Burkitt’s own astonishing archive of photographs and films from sub-Saharan Africa. Though weaving together the patterns, parallels and chance events between lives, this remarkable documentary examines the non-linear impact of trauma, colonialism and the ethics of medical work through an artistic lens and seeks to highlight the importance of creativity in dealing with these issues.

Burkitt premiered at Docs Ireland in June 2024 before screenings as part of the 36th Galway Film Fleadh & Science Week Ireland later that year. Film Ireland called it “impressive” and “deeply insightful” while Dion Fanning of the Irish Independent said it was “stunning“.

Burkitt continued to screen across the UK & Ireland in February 2025 as part of a tour of cinemas, medical universities & Irish language centres before having its US Premiere as part of the Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington D.C.

In March 2025 Burkitt opened the InScience Film Festival in the Netherlands before it was then selected the following month to screen in-competition at the 60th Academia Film Olomouc – Europe’s leading Science Festival – where it won Best Debut Film.