Indie Street Film Festival 2025: Trash Baby | Interview with Jacy Mairs
Trash Baby is a heartfelt, nostalgic coming-of-age film that lovingly captures the messy, magical world of growing up in early-2000s trailer park culture.
At the Indie Street Film Festival in New Jersey, one indie drama stood out for its heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic charm: Trash Baby, written and directed by Jacy Mairs. The film, which previously premiered at SXSW and screened at Dances with Films in LA, follows Stevie, a girl navigating the sweltering summer of Pine Park while grappling with the desire to grow up and the realities of what she might lose along the way.
In our conversation, Jacy shared her vision for the film and the world she wanted to bring to life. “I wanted to tell this story because nostalgia and the age of 13 are so passionate—you’re experiencing so many of life’s firsts for the first time,” she explained. For Jacy, the setting—a trailer park culture that rarely gets a nuanced portrayal on screen—was equally important. “As a kid, it was just something I never got to see,” she said.
The film is steeped in early-2000s nostalgia, from its set design to subtle cultural markers like posters of Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. Jacy noted how these details reflect the pressures young girls faced: “It’s wild the people that we idolize… many were stick-figure blonde women being judged and scrutinized when they were still minors.”
Casting was a joyful and organic process, particularly with young actress Esther Harrison, who plays Stevie. “The film wouldn’t work without her… she was only 13 when we shot, and to reflect on that time period while actively living it—kudos to her,” Jacy said. The production also included a heartwarming full-circle moment with Nick Sutton, who appeared in the influential indie film Gummo and now plays a convenience store clerk in Trash Baby.
Jacy described the filmmaking process as a mix of urgency and dedication, especially as she was eight months pregnant while shooting. “We could not push the schedule. We had to finish this film now,” she recalled. The careful post-production process allowed the team to capture authentic, organic moments that shine throughout the final film.
When asked about her influences, Jacy cited The Florida Project as a key touchstone for portraying childhood with honesty and depth. “The best way you can engage with children on that age range is letting them be themselves on camera,” she said.
For Jacy, seeing Trash Baby travel the festival circuit has been surreal. “Trash Baby is a trashy little movie made with very little money… the juxtaposition of being part of these iconic festivals is surreal for us,” she reflected.
With its heartfelt performances, authentic setting, and nostalgic resonance, Trash Baby is a love letter to a community too often dismissed, and a celebration of the resilience, humor, and beauty found within it.
