When their plane from Los Angeles to New York is grounded on the morning of September 11, 2001, strangers Elliott and Joni are unexpectedly thrust together amidst the chaos of that historic day. With little in common but both needing to get to NYC urgently, they accept help from Joni's family friend Scottie who lends the duo a rusty old Chevy Van. The shock and stress of 9/11 quickly threatens to derail their cross-country journey until the pair discover what they do have in common: a love for old folk songs.

Filmed over 3,500 miles in fourteen states, American Folk serves as a love letter to the natural beauty of America, to the style of music that has shepherded us through historically tough times and to the kindness of all of the “folk” that make America what it is.