You don’t need an Intimacy Coordinator to win an Oscar. That much is clear. Sean Baker’s Anora cleaned up at the 2025 Academy Awards, taking home Best Actress, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay. The film, centered on Mikey Madison’s titular character, tells the story of a young sex worker navigating love, power, and self-determination in modern-day Brooklyn. Making any film—especially an independent one—and winning an Oscar is a minor miracle, and Anora’s accolades are undeniably impressive. But the film also reinforces an age-old Hollywood pattern—one that sidelines sex workers’ realities in favor of a palatable, romanticized narrative. The Academy voted for this film. So we must ask: why is this particular trope so award-worthy? What stories are we reinforcing when we celebrate these narratives over others?
Time and time again, we see the “hooker with a heart of gold” trope rewarded at the highest levels of the industry. Think Pretty Woman, Moulin Rouge!, and Monster—films that reinforce the idea that sex work is something a woman must be saved from, whether by love, transformation, or tragedy. Now, Anora joins the ranks of these celebrated narratives. Do we find sex work—often called the oldest profession—so objectionable that its protagonists need saving? Is sexuality, and the human desire for it, so unpalatable that it must be softened, romanticized, or punished in order to be accepted by audiences and voters alike?
Contrast this with Poor Things, another recent Oscar winner, where sexual exploration and sex work were framed as a means of learning more about the human condition. The film’s depiction of intimacy was layered, intentional, and—importantly—supported by an Intimacy Coordinator. The result was a portrayal of sexuality that was neither sanitized nor exploitative but instead deeply connected to the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. Yorgos Lanthimos, the film’s director, embraced the role of an Intimacy Coordinator, acknowledging how essential they were in shaping the film’s complex, layered portrayal of sexuality. “At the beginning, this profession felt a little threatening to most filmmakers,” he admitted at the Venice Film Festival. “But I think it’s like everything: If you’re with a good person, it’s great and you realize you actually need them.” The result was a portrayal of sexuality that was neither sanitized nor exploitative, but instead, deeply connected to the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. Poor Things allowed its lead character to reclaim intimacy on her own terms, presenting sex work not as a tragic pitfall, but as part of a larger journey of autonomy and understanding.
Madison’s performance in Anora is compelling, and Baker’s signature cinéma vérité style makes for an immersive viewing experience. Creating a film that resonates this deeply is no small feat, especially within the independent film world. But let’s also call it what it is: another iteration of the “hooker with a heart of gold” trope—a character archetype that has existed for decades and continues to shape how audiences perceive sex work. Meanwhile, the complex realities of the industry—diverse experiences, systemic issues, and, more rarely, the autonomy of sex workers themselves—are largely ignored.
For a film that strives so deliberately for authenticity, one has to ask: how could an Intimacy Coordinator have deepened the narrative?
In a conversation with Pamela Anderson for Variety’s Actors on Actors, Madison stated that working without an Intimacy Coordinator was a deliberate choice. “It was a choice that I made,” she said, adding that Baker and his wife, producer Samantha Quan, had offered her the option to work with one. Instead, she and co-star Yuri Eidelstein “decided that it would be best just to keep it small.”
This framing is important because it highlights a fundamental misconception about Intimacy Coordination—that it is solely about actor “comfort.” While it’s true that Intimacy Coordinators help ensure performers feel safe and supported, our role extends far beyond that. Intimacy Coordinators are trained artists, collaborators who work with the entire creative team to elevate storytelling. We ask the questions that deepen a film’s exploration of intimacy: What is this scene saying about the characters and their relationship? How do power dynamics play out physically, not just in dialogue? What visual language is being used to tell this story, and is it reinforcing or challenging existing narratives?
An Intimacy Coordinator isn’t just there to advocate for one actor—they serve the full ensemble, the director, the crew, and ultimately, the audience. Scenes of intimacy, like any other moment in a film, require choreography, intention, and a clear perspective. Without this guidance—particularly from an IC with lived experience in the sex industry or a background in sex work advocacy—Anora falls into well-worn cinematic patterns. The result? A story that, while technically well-executed, does little to expand or challenge Hollywood’s depiction of sex work.
Furthermore, Anora’s narrative culminates in a sexual assault—an incredibly delicate moment that demands care, nuance, and responsibility in its execution. An Intimacy Coordinator isn’t just there for the lead actress. What about the actor playing the perpetrator of the assault? Might that performer also need the support and guidance of an IC? Scenes of violence, even when fictional, have psychological and emotional impacts on all involved. The presence of an Intimacy Coordinator supports such scenes and contributes to them being handled with precision and care, providing all actors with the tools they need to engage in the storytelling process while maintaining their professional and personal well-being.
The CINTIMA Approach to Intimacy Coordination
At CINTIMA, we are proud to have trainees with direct lived experience in sex work, adult film, and other industries of sexuality, bringing important and authentic voices to the field. Their expertise deepens our collective understanding of intimacy, representation, and agency, furthering our mission to cultivate nuanced, ethical, and artistically impactful storytelling.
We train Intimacy Coordinators to approach their work with an industry-informed and collaborative methodology. Our training covers a broad spectrum of essential knowledge, including the history of intimacy in film, the evolution of on-screen depictions of sex and relationships, and the ethical considerations surrounding intimate storytelling. We incorporate comprehensive sexuality education, including kink, BDSM, fetish, LGBTQIA and other perspectives, ensuring that coordinators are equipped to navigate and accurately represent diverse expressions of intimacy. Our curriculum also includes trauma-informed practices, power dynamics analysis, consent frameworks, boundaries negotiation, mental health first aid, and strategies for fostering inclusive and identity-affirming spaces. Through this holistic approach, we prepare Intimacy Coordinators to not only advocate for safety but also to enhance the artistic integrity of intimate scenes by working as true creative collaborators.
Pre-Production Planning
Intimacy Coordinators meet with directors, producers, and actors to understand the creative vision, establish protocols, discuss boundaries, and plan intimate scenes in advance. By aligning with the director’s vision and the narrative goals, we set intimate scenes up for success and ensure that everyone is on the same page before filming begins.
On-Set Advocacy
During filming, Intimacy Coordinators act as a bridge between performers and production teams. They ensure that scenes are executed as planned, adjustments are made with consent, and any concerns are addressed immediately.
Post-Scene Check-Ins
After intimate scenes are filmed, coordinators check in with performers to address any emotional or psychological impacts. This ongoing support helps maintain trust and well-being throughout the production.
CINTIMA’s training also emphasizes the importance of clear communication and creative clarity. By choreographing intimate scenes with precision, Intimacy Coordinators help directors and actors achieve their artistic vision while prioritizing safety and consent. When used effectively, Intimacy Coordination doesn’t restrict creative expression—it enhances it, allowing for richer, more nuanced storytelling that respects both the performers and the communities being represented on screen.
