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Still I Rise - The Film

American sex trafficking survivors rise up to become leaders, protect victims

Still I Rise - The Film

American sex trafficking survivors rise up to become leaders, protect victims

1 Campaign |

Berkeley, United States

$6,781 USD 66 backers

67% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Story

FAQ

Updates 6

Comments 26

Visit us at

www.stillirisethefilm.com

Be part of the movie.

Be part of the movement.

Dear Community,

First up - THANK YOU!

Thank you for visiting our Indiegogo page and supporting our team. STILL I RISE is a film inspired by the lives of survivors that sparks critical dialogue about resilience, redemption and radical love.

Playwright, abolitionist, mentor and CEO of Regina's Door, Regina Evans.

Still I Rise celebrates the Harriet Tubmans of our time - sex trafficking victims turned abolitionists: Regina Evans, Leah Albright-Byrd, and Nola Brantley. The documentary challenges social perceptions of sexual exploitation by highlighting survivor-leaders, as they transform their oppression into compassion and defiance using advocacy, theater, and entrepreneurship to combat human trafficking in California.

The uniqueness of the film lies in how we explore 2 critical questions:

What happens when survivors of sex trafficking help other victims and are empowered to lead the fight against trafficking?
Why is sex trafficking disproportionately impacting girls and women of color?

So... how did this film come to be?

The vision of director Sheri Shuster is to share a story that spurs us to feel closer to ourselves and our humanity. From 2008-2012, she served as the Associate Director for Covenant House in California , one of the largest organizations in the Americas to serve homeless and trafficked youth. "Stories have the power to change the world, and our place in it. Working with an unbeatable staff and so many lovable young people energized my life. I connected with their strength and resilience." Ultimately, Sheri befriended Leah, a sincere young woman who struggled to overcome sexual exploitation and abuse - much like the youth at Covenant House. She fought to work through her trauma and transformed into a national spokeswoman in the campaign to end sex trafficking. "I knew that this could be one of those stories."

Leah Albright-Byrd at a benefit concert for her organization Bridget's Dream by 4-time Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Leah's story is about the universal journey for belonging, love and redemption. Her story sheds light on the dark, gripping truths of child sex trafficking while humanizing the survivors who have risen from the violent underworld of exploitation and emerged as influential role models who advocate in favor of human rights and gender equality.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF SOMETHING MEANINGFUL

WHAT WILL I BE CONTRIBUTING TO?

*ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

STILL I RISE - NEWS & UPDATES!

1.) TEAM! We have had the privilege of attracting a world-class team of filmmakers – it is an extraordinary collaboration includes: director/producer Sheri Shuster, Emmy Awarded Presumed Guilty producer Layda Negrette & cinematographer Luis Damian Sanchez, producer Ian Coleman, USC School of Cinematic Arts Assistant Professor DJ Johnson, BAFTA Award Winner John Nutt, four-time Academy Award winner Mark Berger and composer James Grisom.

2.) Former U.S. Secretary of Labor and UC Berkeley Professor of Public Policy Robert Reich, UC Berkeley Professor of African American Studies Dr. Nikki Jones, and trauma specialist Dr. Paola Michelle Contreras have partnered with us as Humanities Advisors, offering guidance in their respective disciplines.

Regina Evans, CEO of Regina's Door

3.) Over the last 12 months we have followed in-depth life stories of 3 activists, partnered with innovative anti-trafficking projects like M.I.S.S.S.E.Y,Regina's Door, and Bridget's Dream, and brought awareness to the fight against child and adult exploitation, thanks to your help and networks.

Leah Albright-Byrd, Executive Director of Bridget's Dream

4.) Still I Rise, formerly titled Child Sex Trafficking: A Story About Love, was awarded a grant by the Berkeley Film Foundation (advisory board includes film royalty, George Lucas) that, combined with our 2014 individual supporters, fueled another amazing year of filming.

Nola Brantley, President of Nola Brantley Speaks!

BE PART OF THE MOVIE.
BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT.

For more information please visit us at www.stillirisethefilm.com.

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Choose your Perk

High Five

$5 USD

YAY! ALL DONATIONS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE. A gargantuan thanks for your support and a bear hug if our paths cross in real life! Every dollar counts, and we will always appreciate you for collaborating with us.

1 claimed

Ships worldwide.

Rise Up

$25 USD

Get a shout out on Facebook or Twitter thanking you for Rising Up to combat exploitation. Donating to a cause you believe in will give you a bad case of the warm fuzzies. But we won't stop there! Our Social Media Manager Lydia will also send you a picture of her mischievous cat*. *Superhero cat shots excluded.

10 claimed

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Evangelist

$50 USD

We will proudly enshrine (virtually) your name to the Anti-Trafficking Advocate Wall on our website and voila! You have joined the ranks of a fierce movement. We will also give you (yes, you!) the opportunity to get creative and DIY a 15-30 second video about why Still I Rise is meaningful to you - and feature it on our social media pages! Plus all lower-level perks.

6 claimed

Ships worldwide.

You're Invited!

$100 USD

Receive VIP invitations to our exclusive filmmaker events. Come to them. Meet the filmmakers. Shake their hands. Take selfies with them. Have the time of your life.

5 claimed

Think Tank

$250 USD

Ever wanted to see an advance screening with all the outtakes? Well, now you can! Watch the first ever screening of the documentary and tell us what you think! We want your feedback, questions, and creative input. Your choice of buttered or caramel popcorn. Donate $100 more, and Lydia will write a haiku for you on a subject of your choosing.

2 claimed

Your Name on the BIG screen!

$500 USD

We'll add your name to the "Thank You" section of the film's credits. Lydia will also send you a picture of her cat AND her dog!* Now that's a steal. *Not together.

0 claimed

Royal Ambassador

$1,000 USD

We will promote your non-profit organization on our official film website by attaching a link on our website of your non-profit's website. You'll obviously get all the benefits of all the lower perks. Donate more than 1,000, and Lydia will do a backflip* for you.

1 claimed

Private Screening!

$2,500 USD

We will host a private screening for the non-profit organization of your choice. A producer will be in attendance. Travel expenses and accommodations not included. All lower level perks included. Comes with five photos of Lydia's cat -- if you're really into cat photos.

0 claimed

Associate Producer

$5,000 USD

Time to get serious. As an associate producer, your name will be on the film and other important things. If requested, Lydia will play one song on the glockenspiel* for you. Lower level perks included. *classically-trained

0 claimed

Executive Producer

$10,000 USD

This is the real deal. Come join our elusive inner-circle. Be part of the team. Rub shoulders with four-time Academy Award winners and Emmy Award winners. Enjoy benefits from all the perks above. *Or composer James Grisom could name a song after you.

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