Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sean Baker

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sean Baker made an impact.

Sean Baker is an American independent filmmaker known for directing, writing, editing, and producing films centered on marginalized communities, particularly immigrants and sex workers. He debuted as a director with Four Letter Words (2000) and co-created the character Greg the Bunny. His notable feature films include Take Out (2004), Prince of Broadway (2008), Starlet (2012), Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017), Red Rocket (2021), and Anora (2024). His work often explores themes of poverty, social inequality, and resilience through a realistic and empathetic lens.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: Dropped Out of NYU

In 1992, Sean Baker dropped out of New York University to gain experience in making industrial films and TV commercials.

1998: Graduation from NYU

In 1998, Sean Baker returned to New York University and graduated with a BFA degree in film studies from the Tisch School of the Arts.

2000: Directorial Film Debut with Four Letter Words

In 2000, Sean Baker made his directorial film debut with "Four Letter Words," marking the beginning of his career as a filmmaker.

2000: Release of Four Letter Words

In 2000, Sean Baker's first feature film, "Four Letter Words", which he wrote, directed, and edited, was released.

2002: Creation of Greg the Bunny

In 2002, Sean Baker co-created the sitcom "Greg the Bunny", starring Seth Green and Eugene Levy.

January 18, 2004: Take Out World Premiere

On January 18, 2004, Sean Baker's film "Take Out" had its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles.

2004: Release of Take Out

In 2004, Sean Baker released "Take Out", a film he co-wrote, co-directed, co-edited, and co-produced.

2006: End of Greg the Bunny

In 2006, the sitcom "Greg the Bunny", co-created by Sean Baker, ended its run.

June 6, 2008: Delayed Release of Take Out

On June 6, 2008, the film "Take Out", co-written and co-directed by Sean Baker, was finally released after a delay due to a legal dispute.

June 22, 2008: Prince of Broadway Premiere

On June 22, 2008, Sean Baker's film "Prince of Broadway" premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

2008: Release of Prince of Broadway

In 2008, Sean Baker released "Prince of Broadway", a film he directed, wrote, co-produced, shot, and edited.

2010: Creation of Warren the Ape

In 2010, Sean Baker, along with Spencer Chinoy and Dan Milano, created a spinoff of Greg the Bunny called "Warren the Ape", which aired on MTV.

2011: Sean Baker becomes the first American director to win the Palme d'Or since Terrence Malick

In 2024, Sean Baker became the first American director to win the Palme d'Or since Terrence Malick in 2011.

March 11, 2012: Starlet World Premiere

On March 11, 2012, "Starlet", directed by Sean Baker, had its world premiere at SXSW.

November 9, 2012: Limited Release of Starlet

On November 9, 2012, Sean Baker's film "Starlet" was given a limited release.

January 23, 2015: Tangerine World Premiere at Sundance

On January 23, 2015, Sean Baker's film "Tangerine" had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

July 10, 2015: Limited Release of Tangerine

On July 10, 2015, Sean Baker's film "Tangerine" was given a limited release.

2015: Release of Tangerine

In 2015, Sean Baker released "Tangerine", which was filmed using three iPhone 5S smartphones.

2015: Tangerine film

In December 2021, it was mentioned that Sean Baker considered doing a TV show version of the film Tangerine which came out in 2015.

2016: Directed Snowbird for Kenzo

In 2016, Sean Baker directed "Snowbird", a short fashion film for Kenzo, starring Abbey Lee and shot using iPhones.

October 6, 2017: Release of The Florida Project in the US

On October 6, 2017, Sean Baker's "The Florida Project" was theatrically released in the United States by A24.

2017: Release of The Florida Project

In 2017, Sean Baker released "The Florida Project", a film about a young girl living in a motel with her mother.

June 2018: Invited to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

In June 2018, Sean Baker was invited to become a member of the directors and writers branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

October 2018: Head of Film Jury at Mumbai International Film Festival

In October 2018, Sean Baker served as the head of the film jury at the Mumbai International Film Festival in Mumbai, India.

August 2020: Denial of Directing Bella Thorne Documentary

In August 2020, Sean Baker denied rumors that he would be directing a documentary about Bella Thorne's OnlyFans experiences.

March 2021: Release of Khaite FW21

In March 2021, Sean Baker released the short film "Khaite FW21" produced for the fashion line Khaite.

December 2021: Potential Tangerine TV Series Spinoff

As of December 2021, Sean Baker was reportedly prepping a potential television series spinoff of his 2015 film "Tangerine" to help propel the career of trans actress Mya Taylor.

2021: Release of Red Rocket

In 2021, Sean Baker released "Red Rocket", a film starring Simon Rex as a pornographic actor.

2021: Release of Red Rocket and Cannes Film Festival

In 2021, Sean Baker's film "Red Rocket" premiered and received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

May 2022: Executive Producer on Love in the Time of Fentanyl

In May 2022, Sean Baker served as the executive producer on "Love in the Time of Fentanyl", a documentary that premiered at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival.

October 2023: Announcement of Anora

In October 2023, Sean Baker's next feature film "Anora", starring Mikey Madison, was officially announced after FilmNation acquired distribution rights.

2024: Next Film About a Sex Worker

At Cannes 2024, Sean Baker stated that his next film would also be about a sex worker, continuing his focus on marginalized communities.

2024: Advocacy for Decriminalization of Sex Work

At a 2024 press conference in Cannes, France, Sean Baker stated that he believes sex work should be decriminalized and not regulated.

2024: Premiere and comments on intimacy coordinators for Anora

During the 2024 Cannes Film Festival premiere of Anora, Sean Baker discussed intimacy coordinators, emphasizing actor safety and comfort.

2024: Release of Anora

In 2024, Sean Baker released the film "Anora", further adding to his filmography.

2025: Sean Baker wins four Academy Awards for Anora

In 2025, Sean Baker won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing for "Anora", matching Walt Disney's record.