SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
Synopsis: SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD reveals the complex reality of domestic child sex trafficking through the experiences of two local women from Oakland, California. Driving along International Boulevard’s dark streets, a mother recounts her own wild determination to rescue her 15-year-old daughter from a sex trafficker ‘boyfriend’. Switching to daylight, a nonprofit advocate and survivor of sexual exploitation shares her extensive experience getting young victims the help they so desperately need. Driving along The Blade as they call it, Sarai T. Smith Mazariegos, co-founder of MISSSEY.org and founder of SHADEProject.org, unveils her personal story while breaking down the raw truth about victims and traffickers as it unfolds on the street around her.
Genre
Rated
Language
Run Time
Starring
Regina Evans (Self)
Directed by
Produced by
Edited by
Mario Escobar
Cinematographer
Kent Kessinger
Prod. Company
Director's Statement
Social Cause Filmmaker On What It’s Like Creating A Human Trafficking Documentary: http://tinyurl.com/ybddddp7
Director's Bio
Founder and filmmaker of Red Scarf Films, Sian Taylor Gowan makes her directorial debut with Surviving International Boulevard, bringing attention to the plight of local children and teens being sex trafficked in our midst. With a passion for social cause work and a professional background in nonprofit advertising and outreach, Sian has combined her creative production skills and nonprofit experience to launch Red Scarf Films, producing social cause content for awareness and community action.
Awards
Social Justice Film Festival - United States - 2016
Silver Jury Prize (SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: Domestic Child Sex Trafficking)
Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival - United States - 2017
Best Documentary Domestic Violence Awareness Short (SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: Domestic Child Sex Trafficking)
Lady Filmmakers - United States - 2017
Director's Award (Sian Taylor Gowan)
Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival - United States - 2018
Best of Fest - Short Documentary (SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: Domestic Child Sex Trafficking)
San Francisco Frozen Film Festival - United States - 2018
Best Documentary Short (SURVIVING INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: Domestic Child Sex Trafficking)
Official selection
Cannes Film Festival - Short Film Corner - France - 2016
United Nations Association Film Festival - United States - 2016
Social Justice Film Festival - United States - 2016
Global Voices Film Festival of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women - United States - 2017
DocLands Documentary Film Festival - United States - 2018
Quotes
"The film packs an abundance of raw truth and emotion into every single scene that allows it to leave a heavy impact on its viewers like a full-length documentary film would." - Gotham Chandna, Huffington Post
"The 20-minute documentary shines a spotlight on the trafficking of children and teens in plain view — an epidemic that has flourished in Oakland despite regular community protests and organizing efforts, promised crackdowns by authorities, outreach to child and teen victims and numerous media reports." - Tammerlin Drummond, San Jose Mercury News
