George Masa’s photography changed America. But when he died in 1933 he left no clues about who he really was, leading a filmmaker on a decades long search to uncover the remarkable story of the mysterious Japanese photographer.
Coming in May 2026
Bonesteel Films is working with the Center For Independent Documentary as our primary Fiscal Sponsor
The book is now available, Click Here.
Watch Paul’s director’s statement above
The story of George Masa has captivated me since I first saw his photographs and his curious smiling face. Following the making of the “Mystery of George Masa” film (2002), this enigmatic man’s story and popularity grew but many mysteries remained and he continued to fascinate me (and many others) for decades.
This led to a partnership with Janet McCue and the Smokies Life to write a biography, published in September, 2024 about Masa, conducting in-depth research on a level never before possible. The discoveries made have astounded the team, creating an opportunity for a powerful and inspiring new film about the man we know as George Masa. It will tell an exciting, surprising and more culturally inclusive story to a new audience. -Paul
Thank you to the many people and organizations that value the story of George Masa and have helped us make the film. Our gratitude to you all is deep and enduring, like Masa’s work.
Organizations
Foundation For The Carolinas, Pickering Family Trust, Explore Asheville
Community Foundation of Henderson County, Carlyle Adams Foundation, Perry Rudnick Foundation
North Carolina Humanities, Smokies Life, Friends of the Smokies, Carolina Mountain Club,
George Masa Foundation, Jonathan & Sara Bonesteel Foundation
Cashiers Historical Society, George E. Crouch Foundation, Highlands Biological Foundation
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Kathleen H. Rivers Family Fund
Individuals
K.B. and Houck Medford, Nancy Hipp, Georgia Bonesteel
Rita Larkin, William A. & Alice Hart Jr., Liz Harper, Kate Weber,
Ann Austin, Wendell Nuckols, Les Love
David Ingram, Curtis Loftin, Joanne Carlson
John McCarley,James Ryan, Susan Yow
Melinda Hendershott, Maryanne Frawley, Claire Armbruster
Marsha Millar, Will and Deni McIntyre, David Huff,
Michael Daniel, Tobey Weissman, Doreen D. Hastings
Jeffrey Austin, Kris Merritt, Moni Hill
Colin Reed, Isaac Wells, Janet McCue, Rachelle Spell
Jamie Creola, Leslie Costa, Donna Paulson
Joni Benitez, Lindsay Blum, Trisha Williamson
Becky and Will McKee, Lisa Pauer,Russell Williams
Larissa Bowman, Edith Castello, Nancy Snowden
Binford Jennings, Serenity Richards, Rick Aguar
Amy Edwards, Ben Hill, Jan Egolf
Forrest Robinson, Angelyn Whitmeyer, Kyle Masuga
Kate & Nathan Weber, Mark Woodruff, John A. Cottingham
This film is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, www.nchumanities.org