Winning five Oscars, this is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern-day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison captivates as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya, the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya’s parents catch wind of the

Washed-up porn star Mikey Saber returns to his small Texas hometown where nobody really wants him back. Sean Baker capitalizes on the freedom of the small-budget film to explore characters and situations that challenge the audiences to step outside their comfort zone. This calls for empathy beyond likeability, acknowledging faults while not falling into shame

A single mother and the manager of a roadside motel do their utmost to maintain the innocence of a six-year-old girl’s life. Again, several of the cast were non-actors or first time actors, and again Baker provides unsentimental empathy for marginalized people. Willem Dafoe blends seamlessly into this darkly beautiful reality. (Sean Baker, 2017, USA,

After hearing that her boyfriend/pimp cheated on her while she was in jail, a transgender sex worker and her best friend set out to find him and teach him and his new lover a lesson. The first feature film shot on iPhone is important in the respectful way it depicts transgender characters, as well as