World Cup fever is officially upon us. But what about soccer played a little closer to home?

What happens when Latino youth from Life Academy in Oakland’s Fruitvale, where homicide is the leading cause of death for young people, turn to soccer as a refuge from the streets? They put together a campaign to turn their "prison playground" into a soccer field. Futbolistas 4 Life is a documentary about their story, and the filmmakers have put together a Kickstarter campaign to help finish the film.

The filmmakers write: 

In 2012, there were 131 homicides across all of Oakland – the highest in six years. Soccer becomes a uniting force for the high school students in this film, who come to call themselves "Futbolistas 4 Life." By bringing the community together around a new soccer field, they are determined to stop the cycle of violence in their community with courage, willpower and optimism. 

…

 In the last few years, these teens have lost four young people to gun violence in their small public high school. Their soccer club has become a space where they discuss their experiences with violence, poverty and immigration while strategizing ways to support their community. The film shows the passion and resiliency of these teens who create a legacy for future generations. 

Check out more at their Kickstarter.