Boone Docs Film Festival

A portrait of the West Virginia nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett

In the foothills of North Carolina, a quiet elder named Chester devotes his days to playing old-time Appalachian string band music and helping those in need in his community. This short documentary follows Chester from the aisles of Aldi, where he buys groceries for the local backpack food program, to the porch and living rooms where he learned to play—and now teaches—the music of his youth. Raised in a family of musicians, Chester built his first mandolin from a cigar box and never stopped playing. Now in his eighties, he reflects on a life shaped by hard work, family, and a deep commitment to passing down the traditions he holds dear. The film paints a portrait of a man whose generosity spans generations. Chester embodies a vital thread of Appalachian life—one rooted in rhythm, humility, and heart. At once a tribute and a call to action, the film invites us to sit down, listen close, and carry the tune forward.

During the first month's of the Trump administration, retired national park ranger Carol Borneman showed her support for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park with ever larger rallies at the park visitor center . The protests grew, and along the way Carol also demonstrated the abiding love American's have for their national parks, and how the public can fight for them.

In rural Appalachia, some punks come together to re-establish a surprisingly familiar sense of community.

Madison Buchanan. 2025. "The Roof Over My Head" explores the hidden crisis of homelessness in Appalachia—where unstable housing often means living in cars, motels, or with friends. Led by filmmaker Madison Buchanan, who has lived this reality, the film amplifies voices too often overlooked, challenging misconceptions and fostering empathy. This short film lays the groundwork for a longer documentary expanding the narrative, diving deeper into the systemic causes of housing insecurity and the resilience of those affected. Stay tuned for more.

Sheila is a lyrical portrait of Sheila Kay Adams, a lifelong resident of Madison County, North Carolina, and the matriarch of its centuries-old ballad singing tradition. Filmed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as the town of Marshall faces physical devastation, the film turns its attention not to the destruction, but to what remains—memory, culture, resilience, and the people who hold a community together. At its core, this is not a film about a storm or even about music. It is about one woman who stands at the intersection of history and the present moment, carrying forward a legacy while living through profound change. Through Sheila’s candid reflections and unwavering presence, the film explores how traditions survive not in institutions, but in the hands and voices of individuals who choose—sometimes reluctantly, sometimes with great conviction—to carry them forward. In a time when the meaning of “home” feels increasingly fragile, Sheila offers a redefinition: that home is not a place, but the people who create and sustain it. Her story invites us to consider what we inherit, what we pass on, and how we continue to sing through grief and loss. Sheila is a meditation on resilience, belonging, and the quiet power of cultural continuity in the face of upheaval—a reminder that even as landscapes wash away, the human voice endures.

Residents of a popular, outdoor enthusiast, tourist town struggle to fund their failing sewer plant.

From Rome’s structured halls to the hills of Appalachia, Fr. Rob Adams finds himself shepherding one of Pikeville’s most diverse congregations. In a place where family ties run deep, he speaks of welcome, sanctuary, and the unshakable belief that no person is illegal—defending a faith that, despite its flaws, still lets light shine through a stained and weathered glass.

In a life defined by preparation, climber, Karsten Delap has faced some of the world’s harshest environments, trained elite special forces and mentored climbers of all backgrounds. The Mountains We Climb" is a quiet, honest film about loss. It follows Karsten Delap, a world-class climber, as he navigates life after the death of his young daughter and what it means to keep moving when there’s no clear way forward. Grounded by the climbing and rescue community that surrounds him, Karsten begins to find a way through.