Superstar filmmaker spurns prestigious writers award for retreat at super-secret Bohemian Grove

Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns reportedly sparked highbrow drama this week after skipping out of an in-person appearance to accept an award at a prestigious writer’s conference.Where did he go instead? An elite mens-only camp in Sonoma County.The 2026 Sun Valley Conference — held in Idaho — had announced that the legendary filmmaker would be honored with the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference “Writer in the World” Prize.It comes not only with accolades but a $20,000 prize.Past winners of the prestigious award include Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and Abraham Verghese.“For almost half a century, he has told us the story of America through some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, The Vietnam War, Country Music, and The American Buffalo,” the announcement read about his honor.The release said Burns would “talk about his passion for the documentary form and, in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning military historian Rick Atkinson, tell us about his latest project on the Revolution,” our 250th Anniversary and more. Despite announcing the movie maker would be receiving his award and giving a presentation, the latest program published said Burns would be there only virtually.Volunteers at the conference said Burns did a brief Zoom into the event with a quick acceptance speech, per The San Francisco Standard.

A rep for the conference confirmed Burns was supposed to be there in person and reportedly was unable to attend for “personal reasons.”The reason for his no-show was because he reportedly opted to attend the secretive gathering at the Bohemian Grove along the Russian River in Monte Rio instead.It’s an annual gathering of the Bohemian Club, which includes big name members like US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and David Koch, among others, per a photo linked a few years back.Two people who attended this year’s event said Bur...