The Florida Project 2017

Movie · 111 min · English · May 22, 2017

Directed by Sean BakerWritten by Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch

Starring Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera

A 2017 American drama film, The Florida Project was directed by Sean Baker and written by Baker alongside Chris Bergoch. The movie stars Bria Vinaite, making her film debut, as Brooklynn Prince, and Willem Dafoe, with Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, and Caleb Landry Jones appearing in supporting roles. Many of the cast members were also in their first film projects. The story centers on a six-year-old girl living with her unemployed single mother in a budget motel located in Kissimmee, Florida. Their efforts to stay afloat and avoid homelessness unfold within a realistic setting close to Walt Disney World, which was referred to as "The Florida Project" during development. The narrative contrasts this environment with the everyday realities of local residents and the children's playful exploration of their surroundings, highlighting their innocence despite the challenges faced by adults in their lives.

The film debuted at the Directors' Fortnight segment of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and later had a theatrical release in the United States through A24 on October 6, 2017. Critics responded positively, particularly praising the acting and Baker's direction; Vinaite received special recognition for her role. Prince earned a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer, while Dafoe was noted for delivering "his finest performance in recent memory," earning nominations for Best Supporting Actor from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and BAFTA Awards.

The Florida Project was selected as one of the top ten films of the year by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.