Star Wars Episode VII: J.J. Abrams Announces Force For Change Campaign

In a video message sent from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII in Abu Dhabi, director J.J. Abrams announced Star Wars: Force for Change, a collaborative initiative from Disney, Lucasfilm and Bad Robot that will try to find creative solutions for some of the world's biggest problems. Star Wars: Force for Change will begin raising funds for UNICEF innovation labs programs that benefit vulnerable children around the globe. Disney has already put forward $1 million to launch Star Wars: Force for Change. Fans can donate directly to the program at Omaze.com/StarWars for a chance to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII. Each $10 donation made through Omaze gains an eligible participant a chance to be part of the next Star Wars film. The campaign runs from 12:01am PST on May 21 until 11:59pm PST July 18. 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

"The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe," says Abrams. "We're thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII. We're even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world through our collaboration with UNICEF Innovation Labs and projects." "The Star Wars films were made through George Lucas's adventurous combination of technology and creativity," says Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. "We wanted to honor and carry on that positive spirit as we start production on Episode VII and use Star Wars to make a difference in the world. Star Wars: Force for Change will help us do that, letting us give back to the fans who keep Star Wars alive, and raising much-needed funds for programs like UNICEF's Innovation Labs." UNICEF is an organization dedicated to creating a better tomorrow for children around the world. It's global network of innovation labs are dedicated to finding sustainable solutions to major issues facing children in the areas of nutrition, water, health, and education. Star Wars: Force for Change will help fund these projects and find these solutions. "UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories  to help the world's most vulnerable children and young people identify solutions and create change," says Christopher Fabian, UNICEF Senior Advisor on Innovation and co-Lead of the Innovation Unit. "We work together with the greatest technologists and designers of our time to create open-source solutions that help millions of people. The support from Star Wars: Force for Change will help to bind these innovators together on a mission to solve the world's most pressing problems, and create a better future." You can see Abrams' message embedded below and get your first look at the set of Star Wars: Episode VII and even see a surprise appearance by one of the many alien denizens of the Star Wars universe. Then you can donate for a chance to win your own role in the film at Omaze.com/StarWars. Star Wars: Episode VII comes to theaters December 18, 2015.