MEET NEW DAY: Melody C. Miller
As an Emmy Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, my work is centered on telling the stories of resilient individuals who have faced challenging circumstances. I have had the privilege of directing and producing two award-winning feature documentaries that have left a significant impact.
California's Forgotten Children is one of my most notable works, an influential feature documentary that delves into an important social issue – child exploitation. The film focuses on the lives of survivors who have conquered commercial sexual exploitation as children, and their commitment to ensuring that no child is forgotten. California's Forgotten Children offers viewers valuable insights into combating this epidemic and empowers survivors on their journey to freedom.
My personal journey began in high school, when I watched a documentary on child trafficking. The experience ignited a passion within me, propelling me into action. I signed up to volunteer at a local non-profit, initially expecting to assist children in other countries. However, to my astonishment, I discovered that students from my own high school were victims of exploitation. This revelation spurred me to passionately support survivors through fundraising and various initiatives.
Armed with my skills as a filmmaker, I embarked on a mission to raise awareness and provide communities with the tools and knowledge needed to combat this horrific crime. California's Forgotten Children has reached thousands of people worldwide, sparking essential conversations and raising awareness about child sex trafficking. The film's impact has been recognized in various ways, including being used by tech giants like Facebook to train their international staff to protect at-risk individuals and provide employment opportunities for survivor leaders. We have also collaborated with schools, communities, governments, health services, and more. Additionally, we've worked diligently to create a trauma-informed guidebook to accompany the film, which has been instrumental in assisting victims with the support of crisis centers and police departments. The film has played a significant role in fundraising for safe-homes, direct services, and job opportunities for survivor leaders.
I invite you to watch the trailer and learn more about California's Forgotten Children.