CALIFORNIA'S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN DOCUMENTARY

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.

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.

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.