A24 has released the first trailer for Sean Baker’s “The Florida Project,” in which Willem Dafoe stars as a property manager of a motel in which a six-year-old lives with her rebellious mother.
In the trailer, Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) shows her friends the pink-coated motel she is currently staying in. The kids also make up excuses to get money from people for ice cream and cuddle up in their bed while Moonee’s mother (Bria Vinaite) struggles with providing for her daughter.
A24 acquired the project in May. The film about a family living in budget motels is the follow-up to Baker’s “Tangerine,” which was shot entirely on iPhone and netted two Gotham Awards. It starred Mya Taylor, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Karren Karagulian, and was released in 2015.
“The Florida Project,” starring Dafoe, Caleb Landry Jones and newcomers Prince and Vinaite, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar.
Baker co-wrote the script along with Chris Bergoch.
At Cannes, the firm received strong reviews, enticing interest from multiple buyers including Amazon Studios, Neon and Annapurna. “The Florida Project” was one of the hottest sale titles heading into the festival.
“The Florida Project” will open in select theaters on October 6.
Watch the trailer above.