Documentary explores the challenges of artisans from 6 countries
Ballroom Marfa will hold a free showing of Handmade Future, a beautiful new documentary about handmade craft facing an uncertain future in our increasingly industrialized world. The screening will take place on Saturday, September 19, at Bull Room on Golf Course Road in Marfa.
The evening will begin with a short discussion with Director/Producer Kirsten Dickerson and Director of Photography/Producer Brandon Dickerson, followed by the film. The film runs 72 minutes.
Handmade Future follows artisans in six countries preserving heritage, navigating the complex role of middlemen, and advancing responsible trade — pushing back against fast, cheap production to quietly restore a frayed world through beauty and human connection. From rug weavers in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and block printers in India’s Golden Triangle to Appalachian broom makers in Kentucky and recycled-glass blowers in Kenya, Handmade Future showcases craftspeople worldwide whose work carries generations of skill, culture and creativity. It considers the ethics, artistry and equity of the global craft economy — highlighting the beauty of handwork, the pressures makers face, and those determined to keep their traditions alive in a rapidly modernizing world. The film reflects on how artisans might guide us towards a more sustainable, community-focused future.
“I wanted the camera to honor the rhythm of the work and experience of being in an artisan workshop,” Kirsten Dickerson says. “We used local music and aerial cinematography to capture the uniqueness of each community, as well as intimate close-ups to highlight the tactile beauty and organic textures of artisan crafts. I wanted the film’s tone to be reflective and personal, aiming to immerse the audience in the quiet dignity of traditional crafts.”
“Ultimately, this film asks a simple question: can we reclaim a handmade future?” she adds. “I want viewers to recognize themselves in this cycle — as both part of the problem and the potential solution. I hope they leave the theater not just informed, but inspired to reconsider the value of the things they hold in their hands.”
