New York City’s Martinez Cigars, a small shop that has been around since 1974, rolls their own cigars by hand. Founded by Dominican Republic immigrant Don Antonio Martinez the shop is now run by his son Jesus. The short was directed and produced by Keith “keef” Ehrlich and does an excellent job of showcasing the art of cigar rolling and the community the shop has built.

Keith says:

After making portraits on a distiller, a knife maker, and an urban beekeeper, we’ve focused our camera on The Cigar Shop. In 1974, Dominican immigrant Don Antonio Martinez started a small shop in New York City selling hand rolled cigars. Thirty-Eight years later his son, Jesus, carries on the tradition. The shop combines craftsmanship with community, mixing equal parts work and play.

Perhaps our favorite part of making this film is the way it expands the maker experience outward; it’s not just about the artifact, but about the people you make things with and for.