As part of the Indie Film Site Network (IFSN), we’re thrilled to announce the vibrant directorial debut of D. Smith. city ​​of kokomo As a recipient of the 2023 IFSN Advocate Award. Established each year to highlight an indie film that highlights a humanitarian or environmental issue with a singular artistic vision, the award is awarded to the recipient of one million (1M) media impressions across the country. Indie Film Site NetworkWhich represents the film stage, to hammer a nail, IONCINEMA.com, rogerebert.comAnd screen chaos, LetterboxdThe popular social network for cinema lovers is also contributing to the awards.

Raven Jackson is a finalist for the 2023 IFSN Advocate Award All dirt roads taste like saltPavo Tea Ke Dorji monk and gunAsmae El Moudir’s mother of all liesAnd Luke Lorentzen’s a still small voiceEach of which will be awarded with 100K media impressions in IFSN.

In a highly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary city ​​of kokomo, filmmaker D. Smith lends the mic to four black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Coco Da Dolla, Leah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who effortlessly break down the walls of their profession. Holding nothing back, the film is full of energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.

Director D. Smith said, “Advocacy is not always pleasant, but advocacy is our greatest ally.” “Basic human rights should never be given to anyone, only expected.” Simply respecting others makes you a lawyer. Thank you for this wonderful honour.”

“The IFSN Advocate Award was created to honor filmmakers like D. Smith who advocate for a community that is often silenced,” said Jordan, co-founder of IFSN and editor-in-chief of The Film Stage. Raup said. “Full of style and intimacy, the simple concept of D. Smith’s captivating directorial debut gives its subjects – four transgender sex workers – space to tell their stories with a gripping and poignant amount of humanity.”

,city ​​of kokomo It is an act of cinematic bravery, a harrowing and poignant portrait of a life not often seen on screen, told with astonishing honesty and breathtaking craftsmanship,” said Brian Tallerico, managing editor of RogerEbert.com. “It’s a phenomenal example of Roger’s belief that film is an empathy machine, plunging us into lives we would otherwise never be able to understand emotionally.”

Executive produced by Lena Waithe, city ​​of kokomo Won the Sundance Film Festival’s Next Innovator Award and Next Audience Award, as well as the Berlinale’s Audience Award in the Panorama Documentary section. city ​​of kokomo was released theatrically in July 2023 and is now available digitally from Magnolia Pictures.

The IFSN Advocate Award, created by the network as part of its mission to celebrate and support indie film, is chosen by a jury of writers and editors from IFSN sites, with each site nominating one finalist and one Discusses awarding a prize to the winner. The inaugural IFSN Advocate Award winner in 2022 was Shaunak Sen all that breathesWhich received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film.

The Indie Film Site Network is a collaboration between reputable media outlets covering the most essential developments in independent and international cinema. IFSN, which stands for Film Stage, to hammer a nail, IONCINEMA.com, rogerebert.comAnd screen chaos, was created with the mission of supporting film criticism and fostering a growing community of indie film lovers. Visit for more information indiefilmsitenetwork.com, Contact us for sales and partnership inquiries [email protected],