Private Project

Sin Voz

In rural Guatemala, many deaf children grow up without access to language—unable to communicate, connect, or be educated. This short documentary follows a school that introduces these children to Guatemalan Sign Language, giving them the tools to express themselves, build relationships, and pursue an education. It’s a powerful glimpse into the human right to language—and the life-changing impact of being understood.

  • John Grant Knaus
    Director
  • Zachary Millsaps
    Producer
  • Connor Futch
    Camera / Drone Operator
  • Melkin
    Key Cast
  • Dairy \
    Key Cast
  • Jonathan
    Key Cast
  • Greg Summerville
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Sin Voz
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Guatemala
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4k Slog 3
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - John Grant Knaus

Grant Knaus is a documentary filmmaker and director of photography based in Virginia. After studying business and spending time in the professional film world, he felt drawn away from the technical side of production and toward stories with heart, purpose, and creative freedom.

Through his company, Brooklawn Films, Grant creates visually rich, emotionally grounded work for nonprofits, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations. His style is minimal, intentional, and deeply human.

His recent work includes a short documentary filmed in rural Guatemala, where he captured the story of deaf children learning their first language—and finding their voice—through a unique school that teaches Guatemalan Sign Language.

Grant’s work reflects his belief that the most powerful stories are often the simplest: honest, personal, and rooted in real people.

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Director Statement

I first learned about this ministry through my father-in-law’s Deaf church. He’s a Deaf pastor and church planter, and one Sunday they showed a simple iPhone testimonial from a boy named Melkin. Even though the video was raw, it completely moved me. I felt an immediate pull to tell a more crafted version of that story—something that could honor it visually and emotionally, and help others understand its depth.

My goal with this film is to help raise support for the school so they can continue lifting Deaf children out of silence and poverty. These kids aren’t just learning Guatemalan Sign Language—they’re being given the tools to connect, to learn, and to break cycles that have held their families back for generations.

Making this film came with major challenges. We conducted interviews in Guatemalan Sign Language, but our interpreter only spoke Spanish. So each question went from English to Spanish to GSL, and then we reversed that chain to understand the answers. My producer typed out live English translations for me to follow during the interviews. It was slow and messy—but it allowed the kids to share their stories in their own language, and that made all the difference.

What surprised me most was how deep the mission of this school really is. I thought I was just documenting a language program. Instead, I found a team committed to restoring identity, dignity, and hope to a whole generation.