Sean Baker, born on February 26, 1971, in Summit, New Jersey, is an American filmmaker known for his independent feature films that often focus on the lives of marginalized people, such as immigrants and sex workers.

He graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a B.A. in film studies, and his career began in the early 2000s. His first feature film, "Four Letter Words," explored the attitudes and language of young men in America. He gained recognition with his 2004 film "Take Out," which he co-wrote, co-directed, co-edited, and co-produced with Shih-Ching Tsou on a budget of $3000.

The film revolves around an undocumented Chinese immigrant trying to come up with money to pay off a smuggling debt.

Sean Baker continued to create impactful films, including "Prince of Broadway" (2008), which follows a Ghanaian immigrant selling knock-off merchandise in Manhattan, and "Starlet" (2012), which explores the unlikely friendship between a young woman and an elderly woman in California's San Fernando Valley.

His 2015 film "Tangerine" was shot entirely on an iPhone and received critical acclaim for its innovative approach and storytelling. The film follows two transgender sex workers over the course of a day in Los Angeles.

One of his most notable works is "The Florida Project" (2017), which tells the story of a six-year-old girl living in a budget motel near Disney World with her rebellious mother.

The film was praised for its authentic portrayal of poverty and received several award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Willem Dafoe's performance. His latest film, "Red Rocket" (2021), premiered at Cannes and was acquired by A24 for theatrical and home entertainment release.

The film follows a washed-up adult film star trying to make a comeback in his hometown.

In addition to his feature films, Sean Baker co-created the puppet sitcom "Greg the Bunny" (2002-2006), which aired on IFC and Fox. He is known for his unique storytelling style and his commitment to telling human stories that resonate with audiences.

Sean Baker is married to Samantha Quan, and they have a son named Stephonik.