AOW Interview: The Journey of HANDMADE FUTURE

As many of you may know, creative duo Kirsten and Brandon Dickerson, founders of Artisan & Nomad, have been on the road presenting their powerful new artisan film HANDMADE FUTURE. Their tour has already taken them across the US, UK, and Mexico, with many more screenings up ahead! The film is also now available to stream live globally here (November 14-30), and all proceeds are donated to The Artisan Fund, which provides grants to the artisans in the film.

After six months on the road, I reconnected with Kirsten to talk about life as a filmmaker on tour: what has surprised her most, the moments and exchanges that have stayed with her, what she hopes viewers take away, and where you can catch an upcoming screening.

For those who are new to the film, HANDMADE FUTURE follows artisans in six countries as they work to protect heritage, confront complex middlemen, and advance responsible trade, pushing back against fast, cheap production to quietly restore a frayed world through beauty and human connection.

If you haven’t yet seen it, I encourage you to watch. It’s a touching reminder of the artisan sector’s role in fostering cultural diversity, beauty, and empathy. It also highlights the good that businesses built with long-term focus and intention can do, and the real power we hold as consumers.

Kirsten’s years of experience in the sector show that the film handles its intricacies and challenges with real sensitivity. It’s a strong film, and one we’ve needed for some time to raise hard questions and inspire new conversations.

Enjoy my conversation below, complimentary for all.

What has it been like being on the road with your film?

I have been on this film tour for about 6 months, sharing the film across the US, UK, as well as Mexico. I set a tour schedule in the spring with the plan to visit locations where there were supporters and enthusiasts who wanted to host a screening event of Handmade Future. This gave me a chance to reconnect with many friends and colleagues whom I haven’t seen in years, and it was a joy to host an impactful screening event in each location. This film tour has been very grassroots that often included a pop-up artisan market to sell goods for the artisans in the film as well as some meaningful Q+A panels after the screenings. The film tour and screenings help to raise money for The Artisan Fund connected to the film. At the end of the year, each group featured in the film will be invited to apply for a grant that supports apprenticeships, market access, or improvements needed in their workshops. So far we have raised over $30k for this fund. I am returning from this film tour with a full, and grateful heart for all the support, connections, and impact experienced on this journey thus far.

What has an audience taught you about your own film that you didn’t expect?

I have learned that this film is a great encouragement to many people who are already in the artisan, handmade space. Many who have given years to advocating for artisans, fair trade, or ethical design were moved to tears and reminded that their handwork and journey has been worth it. I have received some of the most encouraging messages after a screening from colleagues in this global handmade sector, and their response to the film has meant a tremendous deal to me.

What’s been the most memorable reaction you’ve had to the film on the road?

Perhaps a response from someone in the audience? Or, after the film, over a conversation? All the artisan communities featured in the film have been invited to screen the film in their communities. I think 8 of the 9 groups featured have hosted screenings so far. I was able to attend a few them, including the one in Oaxaca, Mexico. I was so nervous watching the film with the incredible artisan families in the audience (the candlemakers and Zapotec weavers). I hoped they felt honored by the way I shared their stories, but I was worried I might have gotten something wrong. I paced in the back of the theater throughout the screening, and afterwards joined the artisan families at the front of room for a Q+A. When Ana Paula asked Arturo, the master weaver, how he felt after seeing the film, he started crying because he was deeply honored by the whole experience of seeing his generational craft story in Handmade Future. His honest, emotional response brought many of us to tears as well. It was a beautiful moment I will never forget. Yesterday, after the screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the moderator of the Q+A who I have know for fifteen years left me one of the most meaningful messages after the screening. She has given her life to supporting makers and social, impact businesses, so hearing her response to the film was deeply affirming. I will keep her message and listen to it again when I need a little boost of encouragement.

What has surprised you most about the response to the film?

I tried to make a film that was hopeful while addressing the complex challenges facing the artisan sector. I don’t have an agenda for the viewer, but I’ve seen that people have a variety of takeaways after watching the film. It’s been interesting to learn how many different ways the audience feels inspired or challenged. Many people who are newer to understanding slow fashion or handmade say they finally understand why this is so important. I’ve also had many men walk out saying they wanted a broom or wanted to learn to make one! Overall, I think the film motivates people to live with more intention and mindfulness about the impact we have in the world through our consumer power, and about how our choices can make a difference in the lives of others. I think the artisans’ personal stories are inspiring people to see how we are connected to beauty, stories, and traditions through the handiwork of makers around the world. I’m not surprised that the film also makes many folks want to “go home and craft.”

Now that you’ve lived with the film for so long, has your own relationship with it changed?

I have seen the film over 30 times now, and somehow I notice something different in each viewing, and I still enjoy watching it. I feel like all the artisans featured are dear friends because I have spent so much time with their stories and images. I recognize what a privilege it is to share their stories, and I feel grateful for their trust in allowing me to do so.

Where is the film heading next?

There are dozens of screenings happening globally that I am not able to attend, including locations this month like Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, England, and the US. Every day I get new bookings and inquiries to show the film through our partnership with a grassroots film platform called Kinema. Anyone can register to host a screening, so we have screenings connected to fashion weeks, universities, museums, craft guilds, shops, and independent lovers of handmade. The film will remain available for private screenings even after my official 2026 film tour ends. I will also plan to attend a few larger screening events in 2027 after a little break. 7.

And how can people watch it online?

We are doing a limited online release of the film from November 14-30, so anyone around the world can stream the film via this link! We'll release it on Kinema through a “pay what you can” model, and all proceeds will go to The Artisan Fund mentioned earlier. I know people in many cities around the world have been anxious to see the film, so we hope this gives everyone a chance to do so.

For more info, visit: https://artistandnomad.com/