The film chronicles the fight for democracy in Egypt, Malaysia, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, and includes animated segments narrated by British actor Alfred Molina.

Under Diamond's guidance the five countries were selected based on several factors including: the team did not want to include the United States or other western countries because the intended audience was outside of that geographic region; and a desire to focus on democracies in different stages of the process: the student leader, Roberto Patiño [es] of Voto Joven in Venezuela; Esraa Ahmed Fattah and Ahmed Maher of Egypt; Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia; Morgan Tsvangarai of Zimbabwe; and Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine.

Editing of the film completed in August 2012, and A Whisper to a Roar world premiered at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, on October 3, 2012, to an audience of over 600 people.

The premiere was hosted by the Museum of Tolerance, the Human Rights Foundation, Burt Sugarman and Mary Hart, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton said of A Whisper to a Roar: "The film is not only a riveting documentary, but also offers inspiration to people everywhere who seek to make governments accountable to the citizens they serve.