MONEY TALK$ unfolds in the turbulent heart of 1981 New York City – the most violent year in its history. At the center of this short film is a $100 bill, passed hand to hand through a web of strangers, each playing their part in an unseen machine. A boy’s safety rests in the hands of a pimp. A mother depends on a prostitute. All connected – all complicit – through the currency they share. MONEY TALK$ is Tony Mucci’s directorial debut and has been selected in competition out of 13,0000 applicants, for the 2025 OSCAR-qualifying Tribeca Film Festival.
Director, Writer, Producer, Actor, Tony Mucci is an emerging writer and director from New York City. Accumulating over 2 billion views across all his work, he’s directed music videos for artists like Justin Bieber, Juice WRLD and Drake. He has also worked at Activision on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, in the visual effects and motion capture department.
Alongside acting in the film, David Mazouz is a co-writer, and producer. He graduated from Stanford and worked in development for Disney.
Scott Aharoni is an award-winning producer and director whose work has been showcased at prestigious festivals worldwide, including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and more. One of his standout short films earned a coveted spot on the 94th Academy Awards shortlist for Best Live Action Short. His most recent feature — starring Steve Buscemi, John Magaro, and Britt Lower — took home the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available to rent or buy on Apple TV or Amazon. Currently, he serves as executive producer on Chronology of Water, the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart, which has been selected in competition for Cannes 2025; Our Hero, Balthazar, which is Oscar Boyson’s directorial debut and stars Jaeden Martell, Asa Butterfield, and Noah Centineo, and will compete at Tribeca this year; Dylan Meyer’s directorial debut, The Wrong Girls, which stars Kristen Stewart, Seth Rogen, LaKeith Stanfield, Kumail Nanjiani, and Alia Shawkat; and, The Carpenter’s Son, featuring Nicolas Cage and Noah Jupe.
Bryan Schmier is a rising film producer based in New York City. He began his career producing and directing music videos and commercial campaigns, collaborating with iconic talents like Wesley Snipes and DJ Khaled, as well as major brands including Nike, Juicy Couture and the NBA. His work has garnered millions of views, establishing him as an exciting new voice in the industry.
MONEY TALK$ will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on [June 14th at the Village East by Angelika theatre].
