If Sound of Freedom Moved You, HIDDEN WAR Will Shake You – Tim Ballard’s First Real Film In Theaters this November
After the global impact of Sound of Freedom, Tim Ballard now reveals never-before-seen real images and stories in Hidden War — a film that exposes the human cost of war and the darkness of child trafficking in conflict zones.
New York - Hidden War is a gripping new feature film that shines a light on one of the most urgent humanitarian crises of our time: the exploitation of children caught in the chaos of war. The new film starring former special agent Tim Ballard, real-life hero and inspiration behind Sound of Freedom— will premiere in U.S. theaters on November 14,distributed by Spanglish Movies inviting audiences to witness a story of courage, justice, and hope.
This gripping film recounts the true mission Ballard and his team undertook in Ukraine in 2022, just two months after the war began, when thousands of orphans were left at the mercy of trafficking networks. With no institutional support and limited resources, Ballard and his team traveled to the heart of the conflict to rescue children trapped between violence and organized crime.
During the operation, a lead from the NGO Free a Girl pointed them to a notorious Dutch pedophile, Nelson Maatman, who had fled his country and was planning to traffic Ukrainian children to Mexico. What began as a humanitarian mission soon turned into a dangerous international pursuit, exposing a vast criminal network that stretched as far as Ecuador, where a “sex hotel” for pedophiles was uncovered in the coastal town of Canoa.
An estimated 40.3 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide, with children in conflict zones accounting for nearly 30% of human trafficking victims. Hidden Wars brings this harrowing reality to the screen through the mission of Tim Ballard and his team, who navigate the devastation in Ukraine to rescue victims of trafficking—only to uncover a global network that stretches to Mexico City and Ecuador.
"A child’s innocence knows no borders, no political ideologies, no religion. It is simply a heart that deserves protection from horror and an embrace of hope.”
With real footage, testimonies, and scenes filmed in conflict zones, HIDDEN WAR exposes both the brutality of child trafficking and the bravery of those who risk everything to save lives. It is a film that moves, shakes, and challenges audiences to face a reality many prefer to ignore.
“This is not just a movie. It is a call to awareness, to act, and to protect those who cannot defend themselves,” says Tim Ballard.
Beyond drama and action, HIDDEN WAR pays tribute to the real heroes who confront trafficking networks with faith, love, and determination. Its message is clear: darkness may be powerful, but the light of those who choose to act is even stronger.
“HIDDEN WAR — Children trapped in war. One man is determined to save them.”“HIDDEN WAR” — A Powerful New Film Exposing the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Conflict Zones — In Theaters Across the U.S. on November 14
About Tim Ballard
Tim Ballard is a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security special agent who dedicated more than a decade to fighting human trafficking and child exploitation. He is the real-life inspiration behind the hit film Sound of Freedom, which brought worldwide attention to the issue of child trafficking.After leaving government service, Ballard founded Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit organization focused on rescuing victims of human trafficking and supporting survivors in their recovery and reintegration. His work continues to inspire global awareness and action against modern slavery.Hidden War draws from Ballard’s ongoing mission to expose and dismantle international trafficking networks operating in conflict zones and vulnerable regions.
Filmmaker Tim Ballard
