Built by Hand: The Story of Hickory Furniture is a short documentary exploring the rise, fall, and revival of Hickory, North Carolina's furniture industry. Through archival materials, historical research, and interviews with craftspeople, business leaders, and community members, the film traces how a small Southern town became one of the nation's most important furniture manufacturing centers. The film is a story about craftsmanship, resilience, and the power of communities to care for one another through change.
Directed, written, edited, and researched by Rebecca Branson Jones, the film was co-produced and with cinematographer Jesse Barber, who grew up in the Hickory region and brought a deep personal connection to the story.
This documentary was commissioned by the North Carolina Art's Council to honor Chester McMillian, one of the 2025 NC Heritage Awards. Rebecca Branson Jones worked closely with NC Folklorist Zoe Van Buren to create a short profile of Chester and his unique style of old time guitar.
Linda & Henry
"Linda and Henry" is both an intimate biographical documentary and a tribute to Henry's legacy – a film that captures his virtuosic talent and Linda's steadfast love, the heart of their shared life, told through music, memories, and the complexities of a long-lasting marriage.
A Mighty Fine Memory:
Tunes and Stories from the Fiddler of Banjo Branch
A film about the life and work of master Appalachian old time fiddler, Roger Howell. This film was produced by the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies, directed by award-winning filmmaker, Hannah Furgiuele, and edited by Rebecca Jones. It premiered on October 3, 2015 at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia" Festival and made possible by a grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership.
Herb Key: Nurturing American Heritage
Herb Key: Nurturing American Heritage is a short documentary featuring Herb Key, a master musician and luthier from North Carolina. Herb grew up in Wilkes County learning about traditional Appalachian music in the 1950s. Herb enjoys a do-it-yourself lifestyle making his own tools, building his own beehives, and raising his own fruits and vegetables, many from seeds derived from plants his grandmother grew. Today, he is known as one of the best guitar repairmen in the region working alongside renowned luthier, Wayne Henderson.
Glee Arnold: Piedmont Whittler
This short documentary tells the life story of Glee Arnold, a skilled whittler born in 1918 in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Growing up in a large family during the Great Depression, Glee recalls a simple yet fulfilling childhood filled with hard work, homemade clothes, and music from her father’s banjo. Her love for whittling began early, using her father’s pocket knife to carve shapes that sparked her creativity. Glee’s heartfelt anecdotes capture the beauty of a bygone era, celebrating craftsmanship, family, and the joys of rural life.
In Memory of Robert Dotson
This short documentary highlights the life and passion of an 90-year-old flatfoot dancer who has been dancing since the age of 10. It explores Robert's deep connection to the tradition of flatfoot dancing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity, relaxation, and precision in the steps. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the documentary showcases the speaker's lifelong dedication to the craft, illustrating how music, movement, and family legacy have shaped his identity and brought him joy throughout the years.