‘Gridshock’ to be shown at Capitol II

The local group Newton Says No to Human Trafficking presents a free showing of "Gridshock" a film about sex trafficking in Iowa. The showing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Capitol II Theatre in Newton.

The free admission and brochures are sponsored by Koni Bunse of Advantage Realty and posters by Rock Communications.

"Gridshock" is an investigative documentary exposing the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa. This documentary shines a light on buyers and how they fuel the demand for exploitation. The film seeks to learn who the buyers are and why there is a culture of impunity against them. In search of these answers, filmmaker Vanessa McNeal interviews survivors, local and federal law enforcement, politicians, and a recovering sex addict who describes his willingness to pay $5,000 for sex.

"Gridshock" has already won a Telly Award and Best Documentary at the Interrobang Film Fest. It won Best Director (Platinum Award) and Best Documentary (Silver Award) in the Mindfield LA Film Festival, scoring in the top 10 percent of all this year’s submissions and was officially selected for the Newark and Julien Dubuque International Film Festivals. Gridshock recently won a Critic’s Choice Award at the Iowa Independent Film Festival.