SCREENING CASE STUDY
MONTANA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL & YELLOWSTONE COUNTY AREA HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE
MINT Film Festival works to connect people through film from around the world to deliver a world-class experience of film and art. With a poetic meeting of sound, image and story, the best cinema distills the complexity of our world down to a relatable expression and celebrates the humanity in all its joyous and painful manifestations.
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IMPACTOrganization: Montana International Film Festival, Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force
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Q&A Discussion with: Ambassador T Ortiz Walker Pettegrew, FBI Special Agent Brandon Walter, Assistant United States Attorney Zeno Baucus, the Co-Found/Co-Chair of the Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force Penny Ronnin,.and Melody C. Miller (Film Director).
" California's Forgotten Children is a great tool to both open a conversation and dialogue on human trafficking as well as to create a more in-depth dialogue on how to strategically combat this horrific crime. "
- Penny Ronning, Co-Found/Co-Chair of the Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force
OUTCOME
What was the intended outcome in facilitating the screening?Increasing awareness in eastern Montana of human trafficking in our community, state, and country and how to become involved in the fight to end this crime and support victims and survivors. Do you feel the intended outcome was achieved?Yes. The film was heavily promoted by the Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force and MINT Film Festival so the attendance was very good for a rainy night! Discussion continued throughout the festival with other filmmakers and guests, and has continued throughout the community. |
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How do you feel the film supported your efforts and intended outcomes?While the film focuses on human trafficking in California, the same words in the film are what is used to describe human trafficking in Montana. Did any attendees disclosed sensitive information related to their own or suspected sex trafficking?Yes, this is a common occurrence for most of our public events. Following the screening, did attendees seek additional services or resources related to sex trafficking?Yes, and we had tables prepared for attendees to find resources. |
Following the screening, do you feel people in the audience had a better understanding of sex trafficking?Yes. Discussion after and since from various attendees let's us know that the film helped bring awareness to our community. How do you feel your own understanding and knowledge of sex trafficking has improved or changed from facilitating the screening?When we first began training on human trafficking years ago, we assumed human trafficking looked different from state to state. The more survivor interviews we see the more we realize this is not the case. Survivors in California tell us the same stories as survivors in Montana and other states. ADVICE TO FUTURE HOST
If any, what additional information or resources did attendees request?How to act locally; who to call locally if witnessing suspected trafficking; and information on why human trafficking is not being addressed by law makers in a bigger way. What are lessons learned that would be important to know for future screenings?Having local numbers for people to call to report suspected trafficking is always critical. What are valuable tactics to ensuring the event is successful?Promotion, promotion, promotion on how the subject of human trafficking is important to communities and states outside of California. Who do you feel is the target audience for this film?This film is a great general audience tool, especially for those that need to feel hope at the end of a film. What populations/communities would benefit from a film screening?All -- from general audiences to law makers to schools to law enforcement, etc. |
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Please explain in detail why you would or would not recommend this film to be screened to others in your community or at large.
California's Forgotten Children is a great tool to both open a conversation and dialogue on human trafficking as well as to create a more in-depth dialogue on how to strategically combat this horrific crime.
