Press Release For Immediate Release Contact: Rob Grayson Director of Development Casa Esperanza Homeless Center 816 Cacique Street Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 884.0123 office (805) 252.0718 cell Santa Barbara, CA July 10, 2009: Documentary filmmaker Brandon Birtell in collaboration with actor Paul Walker has produced a short film about the issue of homelessness in Santa Barbara titled Shelter. This film will be premiered in an exclusive screening on July 24that the Veterans Memorial Building at 112 W. Cabrillo Boulevard - Santa Barbara, CA at 7 PM. Documentary filmmaker Brandon Birtell chronicles the lives of 4 homeless people living on the streets and in the local homeless shelter Casa Esperanza. With the assistance of Ken Williams, a local social worker specializing in the homeless, Brandon is able to venture into various homeless encampments around Santa Barbara to experience what the homeless face each day. In this hard hitting and emotionally charged film Brandon shows the realities facing the homelessness including drug and alcohol addiction, physical and mental illness, abuse and violence, and societal stigma. Even with all the hardships faced by the people chronicled in the film there are many people involved in trying to help them get their lives together and transition off the streets. As Brandon aptly depicts in this film some find their way out of the darkness while others may never opting to continue to live their lives on the streets or in a Shelter. Brandon Birtell and Paul Walker are allowing the film to premier as part of a fundraising effort for Casa Esperanza Homeless Center before being submitted to various festivals throughout the country. At this event there will also be on display a 7-foot high memorial statue created and donated by renowned artist Morris Bear Squire. The statue will be auctioned off in conjunction with this event. The Veterans Memorial Building was selected as the location for the event to honor the many homeless veterans currently living on the streets in Santa Barbara.
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