Abramorama has acquired North American theatrical distribution rights to 'American Agitators,' a documentary directed by Raymond Telles on the life and legacy of community organizer Fred Ross Sr. The film will open at The Quad Cinema in New York City on May 1, with a subsequent rollout across the U.S. and Canada. It is narrated by Luis Valdez and features commentary from figures including Dolores Huerta, Nancy Pelosi and Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
'American Agitators' explores how Fred Ross Sr. mobilized communities against segregation, for voting rights and in labor movements over decades. The documentary also covers contemporary organizers continuing his efforts on fair wages, workers' rights and inequality. Fred Ross Jr., who carries on his father's work, appears in the film alongside voices such as Satsuki Ina, Dale Minami, Eliseo Medina, Jessica Govea, Herman Gallegos and Ed Roybal. Ross Sr. trained César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, founders of the United Farm Workers in 1962, though recent reports have raised allegations against Chávez unrelated to Ross's contributions. Examples include Fight for $15 campaigns in Atlanta and a 2023 Oakland teachers' contract secured through Ross-inspired strategies. Karol Martesko-Fenster, CEO and president of Abramorama, said: “American Agitators is a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and equity is never finished. It is passed from one generation to the next. Raymond Telles has crafted a deeply resonant film that connects the visionary organizing of Fred Ross Sr. to the urgent movements of today. We are proud to bring this story to North American audiences.” Director Raymond Telles stated: “Fred Ross Sr. spent his life proving that ordinary people, when organized, can change the world. Making this film was a profound reminder that the work he started — fighting segregation, expanding voting rights, empowering workers — is still being carried on today, in Atlanta, in Oakland, and in communities across the country. I hope audiences leave the theater ready to be agitators themselves.” The film is produced by Telles and Olivia Heffernan David Telles, with executive producers John Heffernan and Margo Feinberg. Cinematography is by Vicente Franco and Daniel Telles, editing by Angela Reginato, score by Mark Adler and archival production by Kenn Rabin.
