'' The Florida Project '' is a 2017 American slice of life drama film directed by Sean Baker and written by Baker and Chris Bergoch . It stars Willem Dafoe , Brooklynn Prince , Bria Vinaite , Valeria Cotto , Christopher Rivera , and Caleb Landry Jones . It was the first film appearance for many of the cast . The plot follows a six-year-old girl living with her rebellious single mother in a motel in Kissimmee , Florida , as they try to stay out of trouble and make ends meet , so they may keep ahead of impending homelessness . The misery and squalor of their life in Kissimee is contrasted with nearby Walt Disney World , which can be seen at a distance in one shot . The Florida Project refers to both their effort to stay fed and safe ( a project ) , and the original name of the theme park . '' The Florida Project '' premiered in the Directors ' Fortnight section of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival , and was theatrically released in the United States on October 6 , 2017 , by A24 . The film was praised for its direction and acting , particularly the performances of Prince and Dafoe . It was chosen by both the National Board of Review and American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of the year . Dafoe earned Best Supporting Actor nominations at the Academy Awards , Golden Globes , SAG Awards , and BAFTA Awards . Prince won the Critics ' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer
2017 Cannes Film Festival
2017 Cannes Film Festival
The Florida Project