Indie distributor ThinkFilm has picked up "The Hip Hop Project," a documentary about a one-time homeless New York teenager who encourages the musical aspirations of other troubled teens.

The film follows Chris "Kharma Kazi" Rolle, as he and two of his students attempt to create their own CD. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and Bruce Willis chip in by donating a recording studio.

The movie, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, will be released in theaters in the spring. It was directed and produced by Matt Ruskin and Scott K. Rosenberg. (Gregg Goldstein)