Director

Sean Baker

1971

Who they are

Born: 26 February 1971, Summit, New Jersey, USA
Known for: Take Out, Tangerine, The Florida Project

Sean Baker (born 1971) is an American independent filmmaker known for humane, low-budget dramas about marginalised people, especially sex workers and those living on society's edges. He also writes, edits and produces his own films. With Anora, he won the Palme d'Or and four Oscars, a major milestone for independent cinema.

Where to start

Take Out (2008)Log in to add it to the library
An early microbudget drama about an undocumented Chinese delivery worker in New York, it established his realist, street-level approach.
Tangerine (2015)In the library
Shot on iPhones with transgender leads, it brought him wide critical attention and showed what guerrilla filmmaking could achieve.
The Florida Project (2017)Log in to add it to the library
A child's-eye portrait of life in a motel near Disney World, it was his breakout and earned Willem Dafoe an Oscar nomination.
Red Rocket (2021)Log in to add it to the library
A darkly comic study of a washed-up porn actor returning to his Texas hometown, continuing his focus on flawed outsiders.
Anora (2024)Full guide
A Brooklyn sex worker's whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch's son; it won the Palme d'Or and the Best Picture Oscar.

Their films in the library

Awards

2024 Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or (Anora)
2025 Academy Award: Best Picture (Anora)
2025 Academy Award: Best Director (Anora)
2025 Academy Award: Best Original Screenplay (Anora)
2025 Academy Award: Best Film Editing (Anora)

The full list · 18

2000Four Letter WordsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2000Hi-FiLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2008Take OutLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2009The Making of Take OutLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2010Prince of BroadwayLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2011Meet the HustlersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2012StarletLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2015TangerineLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2017The Florida ProjectLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2018Under the Rainbow: Making The Florida ProjectLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2019Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of GoreLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self
2020Joel Calls Indie Film Type DudesLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2021Red RocketLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2022Reflecting on “Take Out”Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2022Merry F*cking Christmas: The Making of TangerineLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2023Cannes UncutLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2024AnoraLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026SandiwaraLog in to add it to the libraryDirector

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.