Imagine wanting a baby so badly that you're willing to let strangers vote on how suitable you are as parents. It's real. Every year, desperate couples place themselves in the hands of a Las Vegas doctor for his annual contest. Grand prize: a free round of in-vitro fertilization— baby not guaranteed. Contestants post their video entries on YouTube, counting on a public vote for their shot at parenthood.

Through this controversial contest, VEGAS BABY navigates the complexities of America’s burgeoning fertility industry and unveils the class disparity within a topic that is often clouded by judgment and stereotypes. Micheli explores universal themes of desire and loss through her intimate portrait of the diverse individuals – from a devoutly Catholic Latino couple in Texas to a lesbian Lady Gaga Impersonator in New York – determined to have a child against all odds.

Debuted at Tribeca, the film was selected for the San Francisco International Film Festival and AFI Docs. It won the Audience Award for Documentary Feature at the International Film Festival of Boston.