Flavio Pimenta Alves (born in Rio de Janeiro, 30 November 1969) is a Brazilian writer, screenwriter, and film director resident in America since 1998.

Although various human rights organizations, LGBT activists, and former São Paulo mayor Marta Suplicy supported his claim, it has also divided the Brazilian gay community.

[15][16] The film was well received in the media, and was widely praised for having a strong trans representation in front of and behind the camera, including the lead, Carlie Guevara.

Directed by Flavio Alves, a producer making his first feature, this is a clear-eyed, poignant yet unsentimental drama about Tina, a trans woman and undocumented Mexican living in New York.

"[21] Randy Myers/San Jose Mercury News raved: "The Garden Left Behind" will break your heart; a film of utter grace, poignancy and deep understanding.

[24] In 2019, Flavio was selected to Ryan Murphy's HALF Initiative Directing Program, aimed at creating equal opportunities for minorities behind the camera.

[25] And, in 2020, The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) honored Alves with the Best Latinx Director Award for his debut feature The Garden Left Behind.