Potenza (IT) 1988

Graduated in architecture in Rome, he continued his studies in the field of

social movements in different universities around the world (Brazil, Portugal,

Costa Rica), concluding in 2024 a PhD in “Development studies” at the

Institute of Social Sciences in Lisbon.

His cinematic interest focuses on the concept of territoriality and analyzes

those personalities, and their daily resistance, struggling for the production of

space.

As a director, he is the author of the documentaries:

- 'Another Lisbon Story' 59' (2017) about the process of inclusion of a slum in Lisbon society.

- 'Hasta que muera el sol' 75' (2019) about indigenous struggle movements in southern Costa Rica.

- 'MAIO' 12' (2024) about the process of demolition of an informal neighbourhood in Lisbon.

Dir. Statement:

This film emerged from a collective need, shaped by my direct involvement in

the housing movement in Lisbon and by my academic research on the

production of urban space and informal creativity. One of the greatest

challenges we faced as a collective was conveying to civil society the depth of

institutional violence during an eviction, especially when it involves

demolishing a house that someone built with their own hands or where they

were born, as in the case of the film’s protagonist. I believe ethnographic

documentary cinema can serve as a powerful bridge: it allows us to connect

with other people’s stories, to feel closer to their experiences, and, in this case,

to foster civic engagement around such urgent and sensitive issues.

Devon Jezek is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and broadcast journalist passionate about educating the world through visual journalism. Devon is the co-director, producer, and research director for Pages of Protest. Her work focuses on women's rights, climate change, animal cruelty, water quality, Jewish life, positive community-based stories, and more.

She's worked for various organizations, including NBC6, CBS12, and Close to Home Productions, and her works have won various awards and have been published in multiple countries.

Leila Marcillo-Gómez is a storyteller, photographer, and filmmaker driven to create narratives that resonate and inspire. Her work has been recognized by organizations such as the New York Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association, earning accolades for her photography. Her creative focus centers on critical social issues, including gender equality, racial justice, indigenous rights, the housing crisis, and climate change.

Lauren Piccone is a documentary filmmaker and editor passionate about creating films that highlight social issues and bring about change. She has worked on various projects, including a TV series for the Discovery Channel. Her work focuses on LGBTQIA+ rights, women's rights, BIPOC equity, and environmental issues. Lauren continues using her filmmaking and activism skills to amplify marginalized voices and drive meaningful change in society.

Dir. Statement: By Devon Jezek

Pages of Protest is more than a documentary to me; it’s personal. I grew up in Southlake, Texas, a city that has become a flashpoint in the national conversation around race, sexuality, education, and censorship. I witnessed firsthand how school board meetings turned into battlegrounds, how books were pulled from shelves, and how students, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth, were left to feel unseen, unwelcome, and unprotected. That experience didn’t just inform my perspective; it compelled me to make this film.At its heart, Pages of Protest is a story about resistance. It follows Da'Taeveyon Daniels, a young, queer, Black activist from Texas who is courageously standing up against statewide efforts to ban books and silence marginalized voices. Through his story, we examine how politics, religion, and fear are being weaponized to control narratives and ultimately, to control people. This isn’t just a film about laws or politics; it’s about the lived experiences of people who are being erased or silenced because of those policies. It’s about who gets to be represented in our schools, who feels safe in our communities, and whose stories are allowed to exist. As a filmmaker and someone shaped by the same tensions Da'Taeveyon is fighting against, I felt an obligation to shine a light on this growing crisis and on the youth who are refusing to back down. Visually and emotionally, I wanted Pages of Protest to feel intimate yet urgent, rooted in personal stakes, but reflective of a national emergency. This isn’t just a fight over books; it’s a fight over identity, history, and truth. By centering the voices of those most impacted by these bans, I hope this film challenges viewers to consider what censorship really costs us and to ask themselves what kind of future they are willing to stand for.

Mantile M Mashishi is a young hardworking individual, she has the ability to work with people

of various ages and levels. Mantile also able work under pressure, independently and in a team.

She is very professional, organized, pays attention to detail, technology savvy, able to work

efficiently under pressure, and is always punctual.

Mantile is a well-mannered, responsible individual who plans and follows through projects, she

also is very analytical and outstanding multilingual communicator (fluent in English, Afrikaans,

Setswana, Zulu and Venda) with sound conflict management skills.

Mantile possess a very persistent, resilient and obedient nature. She is always ready to explore

and learn.

She has learnt the importance of applying good understanding of ethics and communication

during her training and her short-lived part time research assistant and data capturing

opportunity with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, in the faculty of Public Health.

She has good business and operational ethics and the required experience for this position as

she was previously employed at Events management company as well as a corporate

companies where she carried out data capturing, filling, customer service, marketing and all

general office administrative responsibilities.

She is a always eager to learn and grow herself at the same time maintaining a professional

workmanship and achieving her vision, goals and objectives. Mantile recently completed a short

course in Film and television production, she had an opportunity to work on two short films

(link attached: (https://photos.app.goo.gl/MW51wYdgjpoVrQE7A) and (

https://youtu.be/XXqLTo6BUek)). Mantile also just bagged a Digital Marketing qualification with The Open university in

partnership with Google. Currently for Human Resources Diploma with UNISA, she is very

dedicated and serious about her professional and academic life.

Director Statement

Polyamorous US is a film documentary film that tackles everyday conversations that are often

avoided or dismissed because people are afraid to talk about Polyamory and polyandry but

continue to talk about polygamy as it is more socially acceptable. Polyamory is a broad topic to

tackle often people avoid talking about but are often secretively involved in such a

relationships. The honest selling point of this film basically giving a platform to those who are

openly polyamorous and polyandrous a platform to vocally share their views, opinions,

challenges and experiences.

Michael Metaferia, a 29-year-old travel photographer, follows in his father’s

footsteps, who worked for over 30 years at the Ethiopian Tourism

Commission, creating timeless images that promoted Ethiopia. Inspired by

this legacy, Michael aims to capture lesser-covered stories throughout

Ethiopia, believing the country is filled with incredible tales that deserve

global attention. Through his photography, he hopes to make a meaningful

impact by sharing Ethiopia’s unique narratives.

Director Statement

As a travel photographer, I have always been drawn to the hidden stories

that live in the quiet corners of Ethiopia. I believe the small, fleeting

encounters we experience often reveal something profound about who we

are. Growing up with my father’s images of Ethiopia, I developed a deep

respect for storytelling as a way of preserving memory and sparking

connection. Moving into film felt like a natural step, a way to not just capture

moments but to shape them into living, breathing stories.

When I joined the Stories on the Tracks Residency, I experienced firsthand

how transformative community-centered and collaborative filmmaking can

be. Under the guidance of writer/ director/ producer Semagngeta

Aycheluhem, and alongside five other artists, I discovered how art can grow

through dialogue between disciplines, histories, and communities along the

Addis Ababa to Djibouti railway line. That creative process became just as

meaningful as the film itself.

The Perfect Ball was born from this journey. At its heart, it is a quiet story

about two strangers: a young traveler and a boy chasing the dream of a

perfect ball who meet in Dire Dawa and form an unexpected connection.

Through this film, I wanted to explore themes of loss, longing, and the subtle

ways we begin to heal through friendship. My hope is that audiences,

wherever they are, will see a part of themselves in these characters andremember

that even the briefest encounters can have the power to change us.