'See it – End it!' Human Trafficking Film & Arts Festival Begins Today

The nation's largest film festival opposing Human Trafficking kicks-off March 29-30, 2019 in Los Angeles to raise awareness about domestic and international human trafficking, providing outreach and resources to those affected, and to empower each of us to help end this gross violation of human rights, particularly in the lives of young, vulnerable women.

The inaugural 'See it - End it! Human Trafficking Film & Arts Festival,' partnering with YWCA, is a two-day educational, preventative, and awareness-building event exposing this growing human rights violation that portrays not only the horror, but also the hope to end enslavement.

Through movies, appearances, and Q&As with filmmakers, survivors, celebrities, panelists, and experts in the field, attendees will not merely watch, but RISE to take practical ACTION steps toward ending human trafficking. Performances include dance, music, spoken word, paintings and more.

Friday's event line-up includes the internationally acclaimed "Skin in the Game", set in Los Angeles, brought to us by award -director, producer (on his directorial debut) Adisa Septuri.

Saturday afternoon will feature "Unbridled", an award-winning true story of trafficking survivors healing as they care for abused horses, featuring Téa Mckay, Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, former professional athlete T.C. Stallings, award-winning actress Jenn Gotzon, and Executive Producer Troy Buder (Queen of Katwe with Lupita Nyong'o).

Saturday evening, the North American premiere of "Love Sonia" is featured, which follows the path of a trafficked child from India to Hong Kong to Los Angeles, where she finds freedom with the help of CAST LA, directed by Tabrez Noorani, produced by David Womark (Life of Pi), starring Frieda Pinto, Aarti Mann, and an appearance by Demi Moore.

Also featured will be ten short films including, "Modern Slave", an award-winning short film which delves into the hooks that keep victims of trafficking exploited. Additionally, there will be documentaries depicting labor trafficking and supply chain accountability, short films, foster youth films from Kids in the Spotlight and Boys and Girls Club, dance, music, spoken word, paintings and visual arts. Cyber safety films and activities will also be presented for children, in both Spanish and English. Organizations and vendors will provide products and resources for prevention, awareness, assistance for victims of human trafficking, and information on ways to take action. Proceeds will go to expanding outreach and awareness of human trafficking, and provide support for programs of the YWCA Harbor Area and South Bay in human trafficking prevention.

www.SeeitEndit.com proceeds go toward the development of a permanent office for a Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Coordination Program and Resources.

See it - End It's non-profit partner YWCA Harbor Area & South Bay continues to bring safety and empowerment to women and families for over 100 years. The Founder and Festival Director of See it - End it! is Patrick Erlandson, who states, "Human trafficking is affecting far too many families to be allowed to continue being seen as the problem of others, that someone else will deal with. Each of us as artists, business people and soccer moms have a part to play in ending this."

Confirmed VIP guests include Congresswoman of California's 44th District Nanette Barragán, Film Directors and Producers of 'Skin in the Game' Director Adisa, Love Sonia Producer David Womark, Director Tabrez Noorani, Writer Ted Caplan, 'Unbridled' Director John David Ware, 'Hidden Gem' Producer Barbara Fowler, 'Modern Slave' Director Spencer Currie, Producer Dan Sima, 'Debris' Director Mary-Lyn Chambers, Executive Director Tige Charity of Kids in the Spotlight, Freedom Ambassador Documentary Executive Producer Elisabeth Gegner, Executive Producer Ruthi Hanchett (Also for The Untold Truth), SeeitEndit Festival Co-Founders Patrick Erlandson, YWCA's Sonia Bailey, and Julie Huerta, Producers and Song Writers Preston and Gina Glass, Directors Pamela Richardson and Clyde Risley Jones, Private Investigator Allen Cardoza, Comedian Marti MacGibbon, Celebrities Patrick Kilpatrick, Massi Furlan, Isaac J. Singleton, Said Faraj, David Astone, Jeff Perkins, Jesus Nebot, Hillary Baraford, Erica Moore, Erin Zapcic, Malik Barnhardt, Sharon and Bob Jimenez, Nancy Vuu, Larry Covin, Davi Davenport, James Hawthorn, Andrew William Steel, Brenda Meija, Sheri Pedigo, Yolande Boyom, NetSmartKidz.org, Women of Worth Dance Company, ADAAWE Musical Entertainment, dignitaries, community leaders, law enforcement, and youth.

WHEN & WHERE:

Both locations are adjacent to each other.

Parking: There is meter parking up until 6 PM Friday. After that, it is free. There is free (relaxed meter) parking on Saturday.

Friday, March 29, 2019

4 PM -Media Check in

5-6 PM - Red Carpet

6-10 PM - SeeitEndit Human Trafficking Film & Arts Festival

at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

Saturday, March 30, 2019

10AM-4 PM Youth Programs at the Grand Vision Annex, 434 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

4 PM - Media Check in at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street in San Pedro, CA 90731

5PM - Red Carpet at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street in San Pedro, CA 90731

10AM - 10PM - SeeitEndit Human Trafficking Film & Arts Festival

at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

Event Details are at www.SeeitEndit.com. Tickets are for sale at Eventbrite andwww.seeitendit.com/buytickets. Donations are tax deductible.

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