Bonesteel Films

11/07/2026

30 years of filmmaking. I couldn't let it pass without celebrating.

This summer marks the 30th year of Bonesteel Films. Three decades of documentary filmmaking and client work have been both challenging and rewarding, filled with amazing partners, employees, clients, and friends. I’m so grateful for all of it.

It was the summer of 1996, the Olympic Games were taking over Atlanta, Georgia, and while I had been a good 9 years out of college, working hard in media and filmmaking, that summer, it was time to incorporate the business as Bonesteel Films. I scored an exciting job shooting and editing short films for Apple Computer about the cultural scene around the games and posting tiny little movies on Apple’s website. One of Apple's first experiments with content creation for the internet.

With my own camera and editing system and a bucketful of confidence, we made plans to head to the mountains of North Carolina. I knew if we did not escape the gravity of the big city, we might never cut a new path all our own. We loaded up a Uhaul and headed to Asheville.

Bonesteel Films has been many things to many people, but ultimately, we’ve tried to be about doing good work for all the right reasons. The latest film, “A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story,” in some ways speaks to the 30-year journey of Bonesteel Films. A film that means a lot to me, and I hope it does to others who love creativity, history, and the mountains.

I think there are more films and projects ahead. But looking back and making an account of things, I’m deeply appreciative.

Paul Bonesteel

PS. Below are some, but not all, of the bone film brands through the years!

10/07/2026

This Sunday, Historic Toxaway is hosting a screening of A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story, which is a fundraising event for a series of screenings of the film in Japan this September.
Bringing the story of Masa to the Japanese people who have never known about his adventurous and complex life and his accomplishments here in the United States.
Proceeds from ticket sales and framed prints of Masa’s will be available for donations to the project, along with a silent auction for a beautifully framed image of Dry Falls, taken by Masa in 1929. Doors open to the Barn at 4:30! I'd love to see you there. -Paul

16/06/2026

People often ask me about how they can own a photograph made by George Masa. And finally, I have a good, functional answer!

Thanks to Asheville based Frugal Framer, and the Buncombe County Special Collection archive, you can pick up a beautifully framed print of Masa's and know that profits from it are supporting his legacy. The georgemasa.com page has the details. Thanks to everyone involved for making this happen!

https://www.georgemasa.com/ownaprint

15/05/2026

It was a wonderful night, and the film can be streamed at georgemasa.com

This is "PREMIERE of "A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story" Fine Arts Theater, April 29th 2026" by Bonesteel Films on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

07/05/2026

Tonight at the Blowing Rock Museum. This is a one-hour presentation celebrating Masa, with images and clips from the new film.

A journey into the fascinating and remarkable life of pioneering Japanese immigrant photographer and conservationist George Masa, by filmmaker and biographer, Paul Bonesteel

01/05/2026

Love that marquee! "A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story" begins its roll-out on PBS stations across the U.S. TODAY! You can also catch it streaming on PBS’s YouTube channel and the PBS App. Look for it on May 12 on PBS North Carolina stations.
For all details visit georgemasa.com

29/04/2026

25/04/2026

I'm very grateful to Jon Page for including me in his podcast "On the Blue Ridge". For you Masa people, this conversation gets deep into my long obsession with Masa, the many people involved with Masa, the book, the film and what Masa's life means to me.

Podcast Episode · On the Blue Ridge · April 24 · 1h 6m

22/04/2026

Earth Day! Free screening "A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story" tonight at Western Carolina University. Free and open to all.

20/04/2026

Tonight at UNC-A, Wednesday at WCU. And next Wed. (29th) Fine Arts Theater!