(Dallas, TX) July 16, 2014 - Mrs. America 2014 Austen Williams and S.H.A.R.E. Together have partnered to bring awareness and hope to the world's second largest grossing crime, human trafficking. The two have combined forces to start conversations and raise funds by promoting 8 DAYS, a feature film that depicts a story of modern day slavery inspired by actual events. 8 DAYS calls attention to the reality of domestic human trafficking in the United States and encourages honest conversations essential for the prevention and termination of human trafficking.
"Human trafficking is so often viewed as someone else's problem, but it is our children, our daughters, sons, sisters, mothers, fathers, and brothers that are being sold as slaves in the modern world," said Austen Williams, Mrs. America 2014. "Everyone can and should have a part in the fight. We all have different talents, gifts, and abilities and if we ban together we can change the way people view this problem. We are working to equip people with the knowledge and skills to deter violence and poverty, which so often makes victims vulnerable to trafficking, and ultimately serve the least of these and put an end to one of the most horrific crimes in humanity."
S.H.A.R.E. Together partnered with After Eden Pictures to produce the 8 DAYS film ( www.findamber.com ), in which Williams has a supporting role. All proceeds from the 8 DAYS film will go toward the building of safe houses for rescued victims of trafficking, as well as donations to various organizations that work directly with survivors, victims, and advocates.
"My part in the fight is using my voice as Mrs. America 2014 to talk about my platform, 'Shake the Shackles: Human Trafficking Awareness'," continues Williams. "I want to use my experience as a model and actress to shed light on this darkness and that is why I am so glad to have been cast in the film, 8 DAYS," adds Williams.
The 8 DAYS film will have eight red carpet premieres nationwide, each of which will serve as fundraisers for both national and international trafficking organizations. Each premiere will raise funds for a different trafficking organization in that city.
"It is our goal that by dispersing funds to many organizations we can truly share together in the blessing of support and the burden of the fight," explains film Director, Jaco Booyens. "The problem will not end overnight, but we don't intend to allow the fight to end either."
Premiere Info:
September 9 Los Angeles, CA
September 11 Seattle, WA
September 16 New York City, NY
September 18 Washington, DC
September 23 Atlanta, GA
September 25 Nashville, TN
September 30 Chicago, IL
October 2 Dallas, TX
In addition to the premieres, the film will be available to over 500 human trafficking organizations for showings across the country for eight days beginning on October 3rd.
Austen Williams is scheduled to be in attendance at each premiere and serve as a host and voice to help raise funds. She will also continue to serve as an ambassador for the film and advocate for the victims and survivors of human trafficking by continuing to promote her platform, "Shake the Shackles", at Mrs. World 2014 later this year.
To donate, please visit: http://www.sharetogethernow.org/donate/
About Austen Williams, Mrs America 2014
Austen Williams is a 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry having worked as a model, host, actress, dancer, singer, and speaker. She is dedicated to empowering young people to be more than what media expects them to be, more than who people think they are, and all of who they were created to be. She is working to accomplish this through teen talk show, INsight, and their Beyond Beauty Tour. For more information, visit: www.theaustenwilliams.com and www.insightscene.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/austen.williams.92; Twitter and Instagram: @austenwill.
About After Eden Pictures / S.H.A.R.E Together
After Eden Pictures is a film and television production studio dedicated to transforming culture through uplifting entertainment. After Eden Pictures was founded by Jaco Booyens and he serves as the President and CEO. For more information, visit www.afteredenpictures.com; Twitter & Instagram: @AfterEdenPics
S.H.A.R.E. Together is the official 501(c)3 non-profit partner of After Eden Pictures. A registered 501c3, SHARE is a global movement of giving back of what everyone has in abundance, and thereby meeting the needs of millions the world over. SHARE is a global initiative of serving and helping those in need, no questions, nothing asked in return. For more information, visit: www.sharetogethernow.org; www.findamber.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/8daysfilm; Twitter & Instagram: @8daysfilm