As the Star Wars franchise’s Force for Change campaign continues, Star Wars: Episode VII director J.J. Abrams has seen fit to release a video promoting the campaign and offering new opportunities to supporters – while hanging out by one of the X-Wing fighters we’re sure to see in the 2015 blockbuster. It’s a fun and exciting tease for the heavily guarded sequel, which may or may not have had plot details leaked out recently.
The official Twitter account for the Star Wars franchise did confirm that the rather dirty and beaten-up fighter in the video is an X-Wing, not a Z-95 as some assumed:
@CDCanimation It is in fact an Episode VII X-wing, not a Z-95.
— Star Wars (@starwars) July 21, 2014
It’s exciting to see Abrams break away from his typical vow of secrecy just a little bit for such a great cause. The Force for Change campaign has raised over a million dollars so far for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and programs, a highly impressive number.
Check out the official press release for the campaign below the video and let us know if you’ll be showing your support.
Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18th, 2015.
IN AN EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM SET, J.J. ABRAMS OFFERS FANS THE CHANCE TO WIN A PRIVATE HOMETOWN SCREENING OF STAR WARS: EPISODE VII BEFORE IT HITS THEATERS
(IN ADDITION TO CHANCE TO BE IN THE FILM)Director J.J. Abrams unveils the Star Wars: Episode VII X-Wing in support of Star Wars: Force for Change campaign’s final week
Campaign benefitting UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and programs
draws participants from over 119 countriesVisit Omaze.com/StarWars For A Chance to Win
LOS ANGELES, CA, JULY 21, 2014 — All Wings Report In! On the set of Star Wars: Episode VII, Director J.J. Abrams was interrupted by an X-Wing pilot and rogue robot as he announced the chance for fans to win an advance private screening of Star Wars: Episode VII. “We are so grateful for the support that the fans from over 119 countries have shown for Force for Change,” said Abrams. “As we close this final week, we’ve added an additional prize that allows the fans the opportunity to see the movie early as a thank you for supporting such a great cause as UNICEF’s innovative, lifesaving work for children.” By contributing at any level by July 25th, participants will be eligible for all prizes including a chance to be in the movie.
Watch the video announcement now at http://youtu.be/xWBGrkc360M (embed link below).
Star Wars: Force for Change impressively raised over one million dollars within the first 24 hours of its launch—a record for Omaze, the fundraising platform. So far contributors from 119 countries around the world have backed Force for Change, in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and programs. UNICEF’s network of 14 Innovation Labs help create sustainable solutions to critical issues facing children around the world in the areas of nutrition, water, health, and education. The funds raised through Star Wars: Force for Change will impact the lives of children around the world, through projects like MobiStation, a portable, solar-powered educational kit to ensure children have access to quality learning anywhere, and Rapid FTR (Family Tracing and Reunification), a mobile phone application that helps reunite separated and unaccompanied children with their families in natural disasters. Fans can continue to pledge support and enter for a chance win until 11:59pm on July 25.
The Star Wars: Force for Change Grand Prize includes:
· Airfare and accommodations to London for one winner and a guest· Behind-the-scenes access on the closed set of Star Wars: Episode VII as VIP guests of J.J. Abrams
· Winner will have the opportunity to meet members of the cast
· Winner and their guest will then be transformed by makeup and costume teams into a Star Wars character and filmed for a scene in Star Wars: Episode VII
Disney committed US $1 million to support the launch of Star Wars: Force for Change. Star Wars continues to inspire generations of dreamers and doers to use their creativity to accomplish great things. Star Wars and Lucasfilm were built on the belief that in uniting creativity with innovation, you can make the impossible possible.
Visit StarWars.com/ForceForChange to learn more about this new charitable initiative and the work of UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and programs, and be sure to enter through contribution or free entry for your chance to win at Omaze.com/StarWars.
May the Force be with you!ABOUT UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org. Find us on Twitter: @unicefusa; join us on Facebook: UNICEF-USA.ABOUT OMAZE
Founded by writer/filmmakers and friends from college, Matt Pohlson and Ryan Cummins, Omaze is an online charity platform that gives anyone the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences that also support remarkable causes. Omaze has worked with top actors, musicians, and athletes around the world including George Clooney, Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, Lady Gaga, Will Smith, George Lucas, Jennifer Lopez, and Phil Jackson, to name a few. For more information, please visit www.omaze.com.STAR WARS: FORCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM: RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your domicile, to enter and a resident of Argentina, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, USA, or the UK, and not a resident of Belgium, Italy, Malta, Singapore, or Thailand. Residents of Australia, Brazil, China and the Republic of Korea are not prohibited from participating, but local rules and laws may restrict or prohibit the award of certain prizes or impose additional restrictions on participation.
Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes. Rewards are limited in quantity. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. For free entry: (i) send post card to Sponsor at PO Box 3190, 1217 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90408 by applicable mail date; or (ii) visit www.Omaze.com/StarWars. Entrants may receive additional entries via Facebook. Maximum number of entries: 10,000 per Entrant. Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change. Winner and Guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check, to receive the prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are Winner’s responsibility. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®. Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify. For full entry requirements, details, limitations and restrictions see Official rules at www.Omaze.com/StarWars. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., PO Box 3190, 1217 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90408.
