Tangerine

On Christmas Eve in Los Angeles, Sin-Dee returns to the streets after a short release from jail, only to hear a rumor that her pimp boyfriend was unfaithful during her absence. Determined to set the record straight, she teams up with her best friend Alexandra and they set off on a daylong pursuit through the city's fringes. What begins as a simple gossip hunt soon pulls them into a wild cross section of LA subcultures, from vibrant street scenes to tense family dramas, all under the glow of holiday lights. The film follows their encounters with a colorful cast who live and hustle on the margins. Their discoveries unfold through late night errands, street corners, and unexpected acts of kindness.

Directed by Sean Baker from an original screenplay by Chris Bergoch, Tangerine arrived in 2015 as a fearless micro budget drama that demonstrated how a tight crew, streets, and clever planning can punch above its weight in festivals and theaters.

With a modest budget of $100,000, the film grossed about $925,000 worldwide, turning a scrappy LA story into a talking point about independent cinema and the market viability of bold, low budget storytelling that travels far and leaves impact globally.

Tangerine stands out for its candid portrayal of transgender characters and life on the margins in Los Angeles. Its fearless approach to storytelling helped spark conversations about representation in indie cinema and inspired a new generation of filmmakers to pursue resourceful, grounded narratives and proves a point about sustainable filmmaking for audiences worldwide, too.

Critics praised the film for its kinetic energy and honest look at friendships forged on the street. It centers on resilience and solidarity as two women navigate a city that rarely slows down, finding humor and humanity amid struggle within the rough edges of everyday life for audiences worldwide, too.