Kandoo Films, the Los Angeles based full-service production and distribution company that focuses on emerging new artists will release two new indie films for first-time film directors – Michael Leoni (American Street Kid) and Drew Hale (Cut and Chop), as part of his Emerging Artist program.

American Street Kid is a powerful documentary which takes you on a journey into a world that most people don’t know exists. A world where in order to survive, kids are forced to sell drugs, beg for money or sell their bodies. Their powerful stories are heartbreaking and their unrelenting hope and determination to create a better life shines through, in this true tale of love, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Cut and Chop is a horror film starring actor/director Drew Hale. As a troubled method actor who has just landed a role in a B-Horror film Hale’s character begins to get violently carried away with his artistic eccentricities while people around him begin to wonder if he is truly an artist … or just mentally unstable.

Kandoo Films, founded by Emmy® and BAFTA award-winning producer Howard Barish, is producing and strategically distributing an eclectic slate of quality independent films from emerging and diverse artists into day and date theatrical and VOD/digital releases for audiences worldwide. “I understand how a talented first-time Director can sometimes just need a leg up,” he shared.

A veteran of the entertainment industry, Barish helped launch Ava DuVernay’s directing career by co-producing her award-winning feature Middle of Nowhere, and the Oscar® nominated and Emmy® and BAFTA award-winning documentary 13TH.

“Someone helped me in the beginning of my career and now I want to give back. New voices deserve to be heard, and I want to give people a shot by helping the next generation of filmmakers,” said Barish.

American Street Kid will release on August 4th and Cut and Chop on August 14th on most VOD platforms.