Money Talk$, the Oscar-qualified and HollyShorts-selected dramatic short from rising filmmaker Tony Mucci, has secured the backing of one of Hollywood’s most revered talents. Christopher Lloyd, whose turn as Doc Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy remains iconic, has joined as Executive Producer.
Set amid the turmoil of 1981 New York City, statistically the most violent year in its history, the 30-minute film follows the unpredictable path of a single $100 bill as it moves through a fractured urban world. From hustlers to dreamers, from a pimp whose choices shape a child’s fate to a mother relying on a sex worker for protection, Money Talk$ weaves intersecting narratives revealing an ecosystem of power, desperation, and survival.
The ensemble spans film, television, music, and stage and includes David Mazouz (Gotham), Zolee Griggs (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Ethan Cutkosky (Shameless), Fredro Starr, D.C. (The Wire), Francesca Scorsese (We Are Who We Are), Bo Dietl (Goodfellas), George Denoto (The Last Airbender), 24kGoldn, Swoosh God, Sean Pertwee (Gotham), Tyler Senerchia “Hook,” Natalie Shinnick (The Brutalist), Claudia Robinson (Severance), Alexander Khait (Sneaky Pete), and Jaxon Cain (Broadway).
Lloyd said he was struck by the short’s emotional clarity, its pacing, and Mucci’s confident command. “It’s a remarkable film, it feels like a full-length feature with the depth of its characters and storylines, yet it runs only thirty minutes. The pacing and directorial choices are excellent, and I had no notes. It’s authentic and heartfelt. After meeting Tony, you immediately sense his passion. His command as a director is impressive, and I’m proud to support him.”
Lloyd’s endorsement adds a storied legacy to the project. From One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to his Emmy-winning turn on Taxi to defining roles like Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family films, his involvement marks a major stamp of approval for Mucci’s move into festival and awards-focused filmmaking.
Mucci, a New York-born director, writer, producer, and actor, has earned more than 2 billion views across music videos and visual content, including work for Lil Wayne, Travis Barker, Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, and Drake, plus visual-effects credits on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. With Money Talk$ he channels the danger and grit of early-80s New York into his first major festival-driven narrative.
Mazouz, who stars in the film, also co-wrote and produced it. A Stanford alum and former Disney development staffer, he continues expanding behind the camera. Producer Scott Aharoni brings awards pedigree with credits across Cannes, Venice, Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, whose recent credits include Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water and Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee. Producer Bryan Schmier adds a background in high-profile music videos and campaigns for Nike, Juicy Couture, and the NBA, collaborating with Wesley Snipes and DJ Khaled.
With Lloyd onboard, Money Talk$ boosts its awards-season profile and marks another milestone in Mucci’s rise as one of the year’s most closely watched emerging filmmakers.
