Lingua Franca

The Museum of Modern Art presents two screenings of Isabel Sandoval’s acclaimed feature Lingua Franca, one of the most important trans-centered films of the last decade. Written, directed by, and starring Sandoval, the film follows Olivia, an undocumented Filipina trans woman living in Brooklyn as she navigates immigration uncertainty, economic precarity, and an unexpected romance.

Set in Brighton Beach, the film offers a nuanced portrait of contemporary New York through the eyes of someone living at the intersection of multiple identities. As Olivia searches for a pathway to legal residency, she must balance personal aspirations, family obligations, and the realities of a system that often leaves vulnerable communities in limbo.

Upon its release, Lingua Franca received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive storytelling and groundbreaking representation. Sandoval became one of the first trans women of color to write, direct, and star in a feature distributed by a major U.S. company. Her work helped expand conversations around trans visibility by presenting a protagonist whose story extends far beyond issues of gender alone.

Presented at MoMA, these screenings provide an opportunity to revisit a modern landmark of queer cinema within one of the world’s most respected institutions dedicated to film preservation and exhibition.