Ani’s blend of street-smart grit, humor and vulnerability captivates from the outset of the film. Ani is not a one-dimensional figure — she’s complex, flawed and deeply human, challenging stereotypes attached to sex work.

Independent films also typically exhibit more diversity and don’t shy away from what is deemed “taboo.” Because of this creativity and divergence from the “norm,” they succeed in telling raw, emotional and thought-provoking stories that are palpable to audiences worldwide.