“8 DAYS” Feature Film Impact
In 2014 we produced the feature film 8 DAYS to bring awareness to local US sex trafficking and the methods used by the perpetrators. We launched Red carpet events across America in collaboration with local NGO’s, music artist from The Voice, local news and law enforcement to tour the feature film 8 DAYS in effort to bring awareness and form coalitions. All revenue from the film is allocated to local organizations protecting their communities.
8 DAYS has to date toured over 500 events world wide, it is distributed in 100 countries and has had a viewership of over 100 Million people. 8 DAYS has become an internationally most trusted training and awareness tool impacting the lives of tens of millions of people especially youth. The film opens doors to teach students in school, law makers, corporations, and law enforcement.
Key cities and countries toured include Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, NY, Birmingham, Houston, San Diego, London, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Israel, South Africa to name a few. 8 DAYS has become the go to training tool to bring awareness around the world locking arms with law enforcement communities and public forum such as CIA, FBI, TSA, HIS, CBP, Local PD’s and Sheriff Departments across the country.
U.S. Embassy and 8 DAYS Feature film initiative in The Dominican Republic - November 2, 2015. Official Post Visit Report to Honorable Ambassador Brewster and the U.S. Embassy Dominican Republic. Below you can see our efforts supported the shut down of brothels in the D.R., saving lives from abuse within, 400 children rescued:
Dear Ambassador Brewster and United States Embassy staff. Herewith a detailed report of our visit to The Dominican Republic as hosted by the U.S. Embassy and as guest of the honorable Ambassador Brewster, his Husband Mr. Satawake and all Embassy staff. After Eden Pictures and SHAREtogether.org along with actors Katie Walker and Kim Baldwin, Director Jaco Booyens, Producers Dan Funk, Karen Jenkins and Kara Jenkins, were honored to bring The feature film 8 DAYS as part of our anti sex trafficking initiative to the Dominican Republic. While in the Dominican Republic we were able to visit the following: We were so graciously hosted for dinner at the Ambassador’s residence by Ambassador Brewster and his husband Mr. Satawake.
The hospitality and fellowship allowed our team to see the hearts of the Ambassador and his team and immediately brought pride and unity to our group; as we knew we stood together as a nation supported by our Embassy to fight this crime in the Dominican Republic. The evening ended with a tour of the beautiful residence and an appreciation for our nation was further instilled. Wherever we traveled, we were so graciously accompanied by Ruth Urry and Irene Gonzales of the U.S. Embassy along with our fantastic assigned interpreter, Andrea Coronado. The U.S. Embassy staff facilitated the most professional press exposure for our cause, which led to a lasting impact in the community and ultimately lives saved.
Caminante Proyato Education NGO in Boca Chica – This cross cultural experience produced strong emotion, as well as, long term ties between our two organizations. After being impacted by the heartfelt motive of the NGO, giving hope through imparting much needed trade skill, we committed to share trade material and resources in order to strengthen the fight against Human Trafficking in Boca Chica and the Dominican Republic as a whole. We will walk a long path in support of Caminante.
Our interview with “Listin Diario - 7 Dias” News Paper resulted in a full-page feature of the film and the movement against sex trafficking of Dominican Republic girls. This feature story was placed amidst a very busy fashion week schedule and is a clear description of the excellent work by the U.S. Embassy staff, ensuring the awareness of this crime.
The live TV interview with Channel 4 host Manaely Hermes and his twin sister was one of our most refreshing and transparent interviews about the film and the crime.
We visited the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo – where social workers, psychology, and law students joined us for a panel discussion on "Sex Trafficking". Ambassador Brewster and His husband, Mr. Satawake joined in this impactful evening addressing the students about the crime.
Our Radio interview with LaVida Simple Edificia Teleantillas provided an energetic portrayal of the nature of the crime and the need for awareness among the people of the Dominican Republic.
Red Carpet Premiere
The U.S. Embassy hosted the 8 DAYS film premiere at the lovely Cinemateka Theater. To our amazement, we found references and production still photography of the 8 DAYS film set displayed on the wall accompanied by the most accurate and descriptive definitions of the crime and all facets thereof. This was the most immaculate work of the U.S. Embassy to make a clear statement that they fight for the rights of every Dominican life and stand firmly against sex trafficking of persons in the Dominican Republic. This moment left our team emotional and overwhelmed with pride to be Americans and so well represented by our Embassy.
Preceding the actual screening, we were honored to join Ambassador Brewster and Mr. Satawake on the Red carpet for a most enjoyable receiving line where we met so many dignitaries, Ambassadors of other nations and general public, all in attendance to stand with the U.S. Embassy and fight this crime. The premiere screening was opened by a heartfelt presentation shared by Ambassador Brewster and Mr. Satawake. This was a call to action for all to engage in, the 8 DAYS film experience and fight to end the crime of human sex trafficking.
After the opening remarks, Jaco Booyens addressed the audience about the film, the nature of the crime and notion that the people have a voice and together we all have the ability to make a difference. Following Jaco Booyens, the Attorney general of The Dominican Republic, Mr. Francisco Domínguez Brito, addressed the audience with statistics of the crime and certain rescue events within the Dominican Republic. The event was attended by 380 + people. During the film screening, we were excited to hear emotions flare up. The audience was fully engaged and at the rescue of a victim on screen the audience erupted with joy and applause.
This is the reason we produced this film and shared it with the Dominican Republic. The film is a conversation starter, a tool to ignite change and save lives, and the premiere night exactly that happened. After the premiere the audience interacted with Embassy staff, the Actors, Producers and Director. They engaged in meaningful conversation in favor of the film and the evening. Several asked how to get more involved by stating that they will fight and stand up in their communities. This was an overwhelming blessing to all involved and the very purpose for the visit.
We had a Radio interview with the passionate hosts of the live Radio / TV show ZOL, facilitated by the president of the network Procomunicaciones, S.R.L. Antonio Espaillat, after he and his wife attended the premiere the night before. The show became very controversial as all members shared their opinion of the current state of the crime in the Dominican Republic all to come to conclusion that we must fight for every life. The interview shed fantastic light on our cause and film as a whole.
Closing
Prior to our return to the U.S.A., we were contacted by Mr. Satawake, stating that we were requested to host another event in Santiago. We are currently coordinating a return trip to the Dominican Republic to further the fight against this crime and we attribute all this to our Lord God above and the most amazing Ambassador and his staff of the United States Embassy of The Dominican Republic. While we fight the fight of Sex Trafficking in the U.S. we are fully aware that this has become an epidemic all around the world. It is our desire to create a call to action through our film 8 DAYS.
The film is a full-length feature drama inspired by true and actual events of three different girls that find themselves in the Trafficking ring. While our film brings awareness and education of the crime it is only a glimpse into what a victim actual suffers at the hands of predators. We must rise up and fight against the "Sex Trafficking Trade". We must push for stronger laws and more safe houses to be built to help rehabilitate the survivors. There is much work to be done to help combat this growing epidemic and horrific crime.
Ultimately we must join forces to stop demand, which will only be accomplished with a legal structure that eradicates the crime by eliminating demand.We are extremely grateful to the people of the Dominican Republic for embracing us and allowing us to share the film 8 DAYS with them. We desire to bridge the gap and cross the political aisles to accomplish more together to help educate, bring awareness and save lives.