iSaveLA LOPEZ

filmmaker / poet

BIOGRAPHY

Isavela Lopez is a multidisciplinary Indigenous artist, storyteller, and activist of Zapotec heritage from Oaxaca, Mexico. Based in the Twin Cities, she brings together her gifts in spoken word, writing, dance, and film to illuminate issues of cultural resilience, climate justice, and Indigenous rights. As a proud Danzante and Spoken Word Artist, Isavela uses performance as both a creative expression and a call to action, centering her work in traditional teachings and ceremonies that continue to guide her path.

Isavela’s poetry and activism have reached audiences across local and international platforms. She has supported global Land Protectors through work at the United Nations, using her voice to raise awareness about climate injustice, particularly in Indigenous communities across Latin America and the United States. Her artistry is deeply rooted in honoring the land, her ancestors, and the continued struggles of her people.

Locally, she has collaborated with Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center and the International Indigenous Youth Council – Twin Cities Chapter, forging community-centered projects that uplift Indigenous youth. Isavela's mission is to empower future generations by reminding them that their cultural heritage—language, ceremony, and tradition—is not only sacred, but also a source of power, beauty, and resistance.

Now expanding into filmmaking, Isavela aspires to bring Indigenous narratives to the screen, blending her skills in writing, visual storytelling, and cultural activism to spark transformation and collective healing.

Qualifications

Isavela Lopez is experienced in multiple areas of creative and media production. She has developed her skills as a photographer and editor, with a strong visual aesthetic grounded in cultural storytelling. As a spoken word artist, she is recognized for her powerful performances that merge activism with lyrical craft. She is also a developing scriptwriter, with aspirations to write and direct films rooted in Indigenous stories and perspectives.

skills

  • photographer

  • editor

  • spoken words

  • script writing

links