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American Street Kid

Filmmaker Michael Leoni sets out to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America and finally gives these forgotten children a voice.

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American Street Kid

American Street Kid

American Street Kid

American Street Kid

American Street Kid

Filmmaker Michael Leoni sets out to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America and finally gives these forgotten children a voice.

Filmmaker Michael Leoni sets out to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America and finally gives these forgotten children a voice.

Filmmaker Michael Leoni sets out to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America and finally gives these forgotten children a voice.

Filmmaker Michael Leoni sets out to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America and finally gives these forgotten children a voice.

Michelle Kaufer, Producer American Street Kid
Michelle Kaufer, Producer American Street Kid
Michelle Kaufer, Producer American Street Kid
Michelle Kaufer, Producer American Street Kid
1 Campaign |
Los Angeles, United States
$7,112 USD 132 backers
4% of $148,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

PedroFilmmaker, Michael Leoni heads to the streets of LA to shine a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America.

Once inside their world he realizes he can no longer be an observer; every day is a matter of life or death and he'll do anything to get them off the streets.

Follow Leoni and the kids as they strive to create a better life and free themselves from their tragic pasts. 

 

…and every day 13 of them will die.

In the final minutes of our promo video above you see a countdown of 13 kids…

The first three you saw have already died and one is missing. 

But there is HOPE. 

During the shooting of this film multiple kids have gotten off the streets and three are now living successful lives.  This can happen for more of them with your help.

  

There isn’t one simple answer to youth homelessness, but we can begin to create change. First, people must be made aware that almost 2 million kids sleep on our streets every night, and every day that passes, 13 more will die.  That’s almost 5,000 a year.

There is a huge misconception that these kids want to be on the street; that it’s their choice.  This film will shatter that misconception and illuminate the power of one-on-one, human connection and it’s ability to change lives.

There is a lot that can be done to help homeless youth.  After seeing this film, audiences will have a better idea of what the issues are, and what they can do to help.

Michael and our team set out to make a two minute Public Service Announcement to raise awareness for homeless youth.  We went out with plans to shoot for one day, but once we started meeting kids, and hearing their stories…one day turned into five years. 

It became clear to us that a two-minute piece was not enough to communicate the depth of this issue.  Most people are not aware of the homeless youth crisis in America, and it is our mission to change this. So, we set out to make a feature-length documentary in order to reach the largest audience possible.

Michael interviewed hundreds of kids.

They told him about their lives, what brought them there, and why getting off the streets was so challenging. 

As Michael continued to show up, day after day, the kids became inspired by what he was doing.  They wanted to help him tell their stories…and spread the message to the world.  It was important to them that they played a role in helping other kids that were on the streets, and others that were at-risk of running away. 

These invisible kids need a voice and they’ve trusted us with their stories. 

Filming became only part of the equation.  Eventually the kids started to reach out for help and Michael could no longer remain an observer.  During that time, Michael and our team helped over a dozen kids get off the streets, into rehabs and transitional living programs, and connected two pregnant teenagers with an adoption agency.

Through this journey the most important lesson the team learned is the importance of human connection and the undeniable impact of knowing someone cares. 

It's more than a film....It’s a movement.

Once the film is finished, we will launch a national media campaign to raise awareness for homeless youth and provide the educational tools to incite change.  

The first step is to show the film to a wide audience.  As part of our media campaign, after completing the film festival circuit, we will go on a community screening tour, aimed at getting people educated and involved.

 The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) will work with us to create roundtable discussions with local organizations, policy makers, and the youth, using our film as a tool to spark discussion and policy change. NAEHCY has proven with their task force initiative, that bringing communities together, with homeless and unaccompanied youth, to assess their local needs, and then, strategizing ways to do better, is a successful way to create change.

We are excited to be joining forces with reputable national non-profits, like NAEHCY, The Space at Tompkins and others, committed to joining us in this mission, and we look forward to facilitating nationwide resources for homeless youth and volunteers.

If you’re interested in partnering with us on this campaign, we welcome collaborations.  Reach out here, or send an email to: info@americanstreetkidmovie.com. 

From the very beginning, this project has been grassroots and non-profit.  All money raised has been through friends, family, private donors, and grants and with your help we can continue this important mission. Now you can help us get this message out to the world.

Your TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation will go toward:

Creating the highest quality film possible.

That includes:

Completing filming – additional interviews with key subjects and kid updates

Hiring crew & renting camera and sound equipment

Purchasing new hard drives to facilitate a more efficient post-production process

Hiring the best possible Documentary Editor and an Assistant Editor

Renting an edit bay for a minimum of 5 months

Hiring a Music Supervisor and licensing music

Color correction, sound sweetening and final mix.

Hiring a graphic designer to complete the films’ artwork for DVDs and posters

Submitting to film festivals

Outputting the final film to tape for festival submission

DVD duplication and packaging

Hiring a publicist 

Join our team!

Donating is just one of the ways to help this film be successful.  You can share this campaign with your friends, co-workers and family.  

The more people that know about an issue, the faster we get to solutions, and the faster change can be created.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

So, join us, and share this campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Google+

…or on any other social media platforms you use.  

LIKE us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/americanstreetkid

FOLLOW us on Twitter @AmericanStKid and share the campaign.

We are GRATEFUL for your support, and we know that together we can make a difference!

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Choose your Perk

Thank you!

$5 USD
With all love and gratitude we will list your name on our website as a supporter. You'll also be added to the exclusive email list to get private updates on the film!
4 claimed

Friend

$11 USD
We appreciate the support and will let everyone know about it - we'll give you a shout out on Facebook and list your name on our website as a supporter. You'll also be added to the exclusive email list to get private updates on the film!
13 claimed

Posse

$25 USD
Yes! You will be one of the first people to see the film. You'll get a digital download of the film, a shout out on Facebook, be listed on our website as a supporter and be added to the exclusive email list to get private updates on the film!
42 claimed

Street Cred

$50 USD
You'll be one of the first people to see the film with a digital download PLUS a personal thank you from the director AND a movie poster from American Street Kid. Of course you'll also get a shout out on Facebook, listed on our website as a supporter and be added to the exclusive email list to get private updates on the film!
19 claimed

Homie

$100 USD
You'll get a digital download of the film PLUS we will ship you a DVD and a signed movie poster. Of course you'll also receive a personal thank you from the director, a shout out on Facebook, be listed on our website as a supporter and be added to the exclusive email list to get private updates on the film!
14 claimed

Road Dog

$250 USD
Get a limited edition signed DVD, a signed movie poster and an 8x10 print from the film signed by the kids in the film. Plus everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

Bestie

$500 USD
Get a personal phone call from the director and a kid from the film, a special thanks in the credits of the film and a limited edition American Street Kid t-shirt... PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
1 claimed

Street Family

$1,000 USD
You are now a fully credited member of the team! You'll get an on-screen credit in the film, a Skype session with the director and a kid from the film, 2 tickets to the film's premier (travel not included), PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

Inner circle

$2,500 USD
An exclusive dinner in LA with the director and kids (travel not included), a tour of the streets with the director and one of the kids, PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

Associate Producer

$5,000 USD
VIP passes (2) to the premier and walk the red carpet with the film team (travel not included). An Associate Producer credit on the film. PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

Co-Executive Producer

$10,000 USD
Co-Executive Producer credit on the film, 4 VIP passes to the premier and walk the red carpet with the film team (travel not included). PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

Executive Producer

$25,000 USD
Executive Producer credit on the film, 8 VIP passes to the premier and walk the red carpet with the film team (travel not included). PLUS everything from the lower levels
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 out of 5 of claimed
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