ZERO, a young trans/non-binary disabled activist from LA, used their social media platform to amplify marginalized voices.
FINALIST - HEAD ON PORTRAIT PRIZE 2022
FLOR, a DREAMer, selflessly fought for immigrant and farmworkers’ rights as an undocumented youth in the US.
'A QUIET ROAR', is a portrait photography and short documentary series (2-3 minutes each) showcasing the stories and campaigns of young activists advocating for social, political, and economic change.
The series features Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and Dreamer activists sharing their experiences and advocating for issues such as civil rights, climate sustainability, and justice reform. The films feature raw, honest, and inspiring stories of individuals' journeys into activism, which they often pursued out of necessity and survival, rather than passion.
Inspired by Tsiavis' experiences during the Black Lives Matter protests and produced with funds from COVID relief grants, along with casting director Adam Browne, Tsiavis reached out to community organizations and surveyed social media platforms to connect with inspiring young activists serving their communities.
"Our project honors our subjects as they tell their inspirational stories, recognizing their culture, their causes, the challenges they face, and the triumphs they've made," Tsiavis said.
Producing 'A QUIET ROAR' during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic presented previously unencountered challenges - for the safety of his subjects, the series was produced by a two-person team. John acted as director, cinematographer, photographer, and editor.
"This was an opportunity to do what I love - collaborate, connect, and create when the world was shut down during the pandemic."
Portraits by John Tsiavis and-stitching by textile artist, Victoria Villasana
MELLOW, a non-binary activist from Los Angeles, transformed adversity into positivity, emerging from darkness into the light.
DOMINGO, an undocumented Guatemalan teenager, left his homeland after losing his father, seeking employment in the United States to support his family.
JESSICA, discovered a love for the law and advocated for change in her community after surviving a childhood marked by sexual abuse, homelessness, prison, and gang life.
CHABE, a woman from Guadalajara, Mexico whose art practice led to life-changing surgeries for artisans from an indigenous Mexican community.
PASTOR EDDIE, left his mainly white congregation to pastor at an inner-city LA church, focusing on teaching radical love to uplift his community.
KEVIN, a climate justice advocate, highlighted white dominance within many activist organizations.
JOSIE, a young indigenous medicine woman from the Bay Area, gained attention after her arrest for smudging sage at a Trump protest went viral.
