CALIFORNIA'S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN DOCUMENTARY
  • ABOUT
    • LEADERS IN THE FILM
    • CREATIVES
    • THANK YOU ❤
  • Watch the Film
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TRAILER 

California’s Forgotten Children is a feature documentary that follows a diverse group of resilient survivors who have overcome commercial sexual exploitation as children and are changing the world by ensuring no child is forgotten. This film gives viewers the tools to combat this epidemic and empowers survivors on their path to freedom. 
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​OUR PURPOSE

covering every aspect of commercial sexual exploitation for people to have a better understanding
  • To keep children safe from rape, violence, and slavery by encouraging community action with the film to prevent these injustices from happening.
  • Teach YOU how to recognize the signs of sex trafficking and sexual abuse, as well as proactive tools to communicate and care for foster kids.
  • Create a space of empathy for children who are arrested for sex trafficking. Learn how it feels to be incarcerated and what you can do to compassionately care for those who have been abused.
  • Find hope, healing, and inspiration from the stories of survivors who have overcome incredible trauma and now thrive as leaders in their community. ​
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  • Know you aren’t alone and it isn’t your fault. Connect and feel seen by the survivor leaders in the film. ​​
  • To inspire YOU to join us in the fight to end commercial sexual exploitation  by using this documentary to implement change in your community.
  • To distribute the documentary to schools and non-profits around the world. To screen at film festivals and on national television to educate, change public perception and influence policy.​


​​OUR IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Fueled by the powerful stories of survivors and advocates and a desire to foster change alongside our partners across the globe, California’s Forgotten Children has become a movement. We have reached thousands of people internationally: raising awareness about the prevalence of child sex trafficking through festival and community screenings, mobilizing change within communities by partnering with local advocates and survivor leaders, and inspiring education reform that encourages bringing an end to the exploitation of children.
In June 2019, California's Forgotten Children  screened at the United States Senate encouraging policymakers in creating laws and policies to combat trafficking. The film was honored at the United State of Women Summit;  premiered at fifteen film festivals; won Best Documentary at the Soho International Film Festival; Best Director at the Chico Independent Film Festival; ‘Rising Filmmaker’ at the Riverside International Film Festival; and the Orson Welles Award at the California Film Awards. California's Forgotten Children has been nominated for twelve Best Documentary Awards. 

Currently airing on PBS, California's Forgotten Children Won Best Topical Documentary at the 53rd Annual Public Media Awards. Thanks to National Education Telecommunication Association and Public Broadcast Stations our film aired on 44 channels and reached millions of people across the nation. 

OUR JOURNEY

using our skills to make a difference
California's Forgotten Children was directed by filmmaker Melody C. Miller. While volunteering for a local non-profit Melody Miller found out that students in her high school were being trafficked.  Using her skills in filmmaking she embarked on a mission to raise awareness and give communities the tools and the knowledge to combat this scourge. Before graduating from university, she brought together 100 influential artists, human rights leaders, and 20 organizations to join her in the fight to end trafficking by making California's Forgotten Children. After years of hard work, she completed the film and Melody continues to work on spreading its message every day.

SURVIVOR LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FILM

changing the lives of youth everyday
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​​Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew 
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Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world!
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​Carissa Phelps ​

Lawyer, Author, Social Entrepreneur, Math Geek, Mentor

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Leah Albright-Byrd ​

Activist, Community Builder, Author, Artist, Musician

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​Minh Dang 
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White House Champion of Change,
PhD Student,
Avid Hiker, Poet
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Nikolas Al-Kahdra

Psychologist, Advocate, Beacon of hope in the LGBTQ Community
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Rachel Thomas

Educator, Mentor, Curriculum Designer, ​Survivor Empowerer
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LEARN ABOUT THE LEADERS, ADVOCATES,

​AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FILM

LEARN HERE

THANK YOU

We sincerely thank everyone who helped make the film possible in front of the camera and behind it. Thank you to all the people who helped lift the film's wings after its completion by hosting screenings and creating opportunities for survivor leaders.

​We will donate the Net proceeds from this year, and beyond as an annual grant to organizations in the film and, hopefully, more organizations we have met along the way. Having your voice to encourage people to watch our movie, share the film on social media, newsletters, and blogs would greatly help.
All Rights Reserved and COPYRIGHT © California's Forgotten Children, LLC
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  • ABOUT
    • LEADERS IN THE FILM
    • CREATIVES
    • THANK YOU ❤
  • Watch the Film
    • Apple TV
    • iTUNES
    • AMAZON
    • Google TV
    • VIMEO
  • IMPACT
    • CASE STUDIES
  • Education
    • Teachers
  • HOST A SCREENING
    • SCREENINGS
    • AMBASSADORS
    • WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR
  • RESOURCES
    • GET HELP
    • EMPOWER ORGANIZATIONS
    • Videos & Interviews
    • EDUCATION TOOLKITS
    • PRESS
  • CONNECT