His 2003 docudrama "Baadasssss!", also known as "How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass", opened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film describes the making of his father's seminal film, "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song". Mario directed the film as well as portrayed his father in the lead role. The film was critically acclaimed and garnered numerous awards and nominations in the film festival circuits: it won "Best Feature Film" 2004 Philadelphia Film Festival and was nominated for Best Feature 2004 Gijón International Film Festival. At the 2005 Black Reel Awards, he was nominated for Best Actor, won Best Director, won Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Film, and the actress Joy Bryant was nominated Best Supporting Actress. Additionally, Van Peebles received three nominations at 2005 Independent Spirit Awards, and two nominations at 2005 NAACP Image Awards.