Steve McQueen Named Polaris Project Ambassador

Steve McQueen continues to say during Oscar campaigning (yes, I said it – at least I didn’t “on the campaign trail,” which is what it feels like during Oscar season) that slavery has not been abolished, and continues throughout the world.

Polaris Project, a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, announced today that 12 Years a Slave Director Steve McQueen has been named an ambassador for the non-profit. McQueen will work alongside Polaris Project as an advocate against human trafficking, raising awareness that this is a modern-day problem that requires greater resources and action.

Since the release of 12 Years a Slave last fall, Polaris Project has worked with Fox Searchlight Pictures and Plan B Entertainment to raise awareness about human trafficking by highlighting the striking parallels between Solomon Northup’s story and the experiences of sex and labor trafficking victims today. Polaris Project is named after the North Star “Polaris” that guided people escaping slavery along the Underground Railroad.

“I am deeply honored to accept my role as an ambassador for Polaris Project. This is an organization that I truly believe is vital in fighting slavery today. From my first encounter with them, I was very impressed by their courage, determination and hard work,” said Steve McQueen, Director of 12 Years a Slave.