Time's Running Out for Teen Political Doc "Follow the Leader"

With only one full-day to go in its Kickstarter fundraising drive, "Follow the Leader," a worthy coming-of-age doc about three 16-year-old American boys with Presidential aspirations, looks like it will lose its crowdfunding--unless some big money steps in at the last minute. While the documentary has raised an impressive $19,500 so far, the filmmakers have set a goal of $27,000, which makes for a big gap to cover in the next 33 hours. The project shows the delicate, risky balance of Kickstarter campaigns--what goals should filmmakers set for themselves? And if they reach too far, are they setting themselves up for failure?

Directed by Jonathan Goodman Levitt ("Sunny Intervals and Showers"), the film seems cannily conceived for this Presidential Election season, following three high school Class Presidents Ben, D.J. & Nick, who are all conservatives who plan to continue leading their peers as the President of United States someday. Over three life-changing years, according to the synopsis, they split into Republican, Democratic and Independent camps as each reconsiders his lofty ambitions.

The filmmakers are also setting up a nifty-sounding interactive component of the project, called "Reality Check," would should make it more attractive to new-media-minded funders and younger audiences who are more likely to watch and experience the project online.