News
2026.07.31
Documentary Screening and Director Talk: “A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story”
I-House will host a special screening of the documentary film A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story, which traces the life of George Masa, who emigrated to the United States from Japan in the early 20th century and dedicated himself to nature conservation.
This event will also feature an in-person talk by the film’s director, Paul Bonesteel.
George Masa (born Shoji Endo) was born in Tokyo grew up in Shizuoka before emigrating to the United States in the early 20th century. While working as a photographer, he was captivated by the country’s natural beauty and made significant contributions to conservation efforts, including the campaign to establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
His contributions were overlooked for many years, and much about his life remained shrouded in mystery. But recent research by a joint Japanese-US team has begun to shed new light on his story and his achievements.
This event will present A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story, a documentary that brings Masa’s true legacy into focus. Following the screening, director Paul Bonesteel, who is visiting Japan specifically for this occasion, will share behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the documentary.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the remarkable, little-known story of a Japanese immigrant who became a bridge between Japan and the United States.
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
(including screening and director talk) - Venue: Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall
- Language: English
*Movie with Japanese subtitles, and talk with consecutive interpretation. - Admission:
members and accompanying guests:3,000 yen/person
General: 3,500 yen/person - Support: Embassy of the United States of America
- Start of Registration: Friday, July 31, 12:00 pm (JST)
How to Register
Online or by phone.
Online: Apply via the link at the bottom of this page (redirects to an external ticketing site).
Phone: 03-3470-9115
Payment Methods
Online registration: Credit card / debit card / prepaid card / bank transfer / convenience store / ATM
Phone registration: Bank transfer
*Any transfer fees incurred via bank transfer or convenience store/ATM are the responsibility of the payer.
Cancellation Policy
As a rule, cancellations after application cannot be accepted. Please be aware of this policy before applying.
Filmmaker: Paul Bonesteel
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker Paul Bonesteel creates compelling, human-centered stories. As the founder of Bonesteel Films, he has spent decades capturing history, regional culture, and overlooked heritage for national television and international festival audiences.
His latest film, A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story, beautifully explores the profound contributions of Asian Americans to nature conservation in the United States.
Core Production Team
Paul Bonesteel: Producer, Director, Co-Writer
Amy Chase: Producer
Megumi Nishikura: Associate Producer
A Film By
Joel Sandvos: Editor
Bryan Fowler: Director of Photography
Ben Phan: Cinematographer
Research & Writing Team
Janet McCue: Lead Writer & Researcher
Lead Research Coordinator: Linda Harms Okazaki
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