Best known for his music video work, Geremy Jasper's directorial debut sticks closely to the what he established in that community — albeit trading indie rock sensibilities for a look at the world of rap.

Dazzling audiences at the Sundance Film Festival this year (us included), Patti Cake$ tells the story of Patricia Dombrowski, aka Killa P, aka Patti Cake$, an aspiring rapper from Bergen County, New Jersey whose image is decidedly different than what we expect of burgeoning artists in the genre.

Whereas certain directors may have steered the film into cruel territory, Jaspar's sensibilities reveal a story more about the physical weight of expectations rather than the main character's look and build — thus sparking a nearly $10 million USD bidding war at the aforementioned festival.

Portrayed by Australian actress, Danielle MacDonald, Variety said of her role, "Jasper’s plus-size protagonist wouldn’t be nearly so compelling had he not landed on Australian émigré Macdonald, a raw young actress whose screen presence comes not from her size, but in the way she engages the camera."

Patti Cake$ will be released in theaters August 18.

For more Sundance films, check out 10 movies we were most excited for from the festival.