Tears stream down Kiki’s adolescent face as she recounts escaping the horrors of her childhood, and the abuse she endured at the hands of her mother’s ex-boyfriend, in the promotional trailer for “American Street Kid.”Off-camera, writer and director Michael Leoni solemnly says, “I’m sorry.”Moments later he steps in front of the camera to embrace her, shifting the documentary from informational to relational – about human connection.

Watertown native Michael J. Leoni went out to the streets of Los Angeles one day to film some homeless kids. That day turned into five years.“I got sucked in,” he said. “I met the kids, the kids met me and we came on board to make this movie.”That movie is “American Street Kid,” in which Mr. Leoni shines a light on the epidemic of homeless youth in America, gives them a voice and offers a solution to help solve the problem.

A Watertown native, Sarah Tremont, plans to compete in a 50K race in March to help raise funds for a documentary film being produced by another Watertown native, Michael J. Leoni.Miss Tremont will raise funds for the film “American Street Kid” by running in the March 30 Fools 50K and 25K Trail Run through Virginia Kendall Park in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio.Add News Story here

FRANKLIN — For six years, Michael Leoni has documented the lives of homeless teenagers living in Los Angeles, interviewing nearly 400 for a film that he hopes shines a light on the problem.Still unfinished, the film, "American Street Kid," depicts young people trying to survive life on the streets.

When it comes to the plight of homeless children, you could call Michael Leoni a kindred spirit.The driving force behind the documentary “American Street Kid” – which puts a face on the plight of the 1.8 million children and teens living on the streets – can relate to their plight.

When Rebecca Black met Michael Leoni and Michelle Kaufer and heard about the documentary they were making about homeless kids, she knew she wanted to be part of the project.The 2008 Ashbrook High graduate, who got her big break when she landed a job as a production assistant on Broadway with RKO Stage, didn’t hesitate when the filmmakers asked her to sign on as an associate producer.

This will be an evening of full-blown entertainment, proceeds to benefit the 'American Street Kid', a groundbreaking documentary that shines a light on the forgotten kids, who are currently living on the streets of America.'American Street Kid' is just one of the many written and directed by Michael Leoni.

Walk the beaches and sidewalks of the international tourist mecca of Los Angeles’ Venice Beach, and you’ll see enormous drum circles pounding out rhythmic beats that can be heard for miles or watch capoeira practitioners fly, spin and kick their way through their martial arts dance moves.