FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
seanna.hore@ginsberglibby.com

Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
gladys.santos@ginsberglibby.com
 

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 2, 2025) – Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Film Independent Presents – a year-round program offering screenings, conversations and other unique cinematic experiences – announced today that Julio Torres will be the Guest Director for a Film Independent Live Read New York, presented in partnership with MUBI. Torres will direct a Live Read of Cruel Intentions at the Directors Guild of America New York Theatre on Monday, April 7.

“We’re thrilled to bring our Live Read series to NYC, and it’s an absolute honor to have Julio Torres at the helm,” said Rachel Bleemer, Director of Programming and Events for Film Independent. “With his visionary storytelling and a remarkable cast, this fresh take on Cruel Intentions will make for an irresistible night.”

Writer, director and actor Julio Torres (Problemista, Los Espookys, Fantasmas) will take us back to experience the salacious tale of sex, lies and coke spoon necklaces firsthand, with an exciting new cast of actors in this 1999 cult classic. Follow the bored, beautiful and pampered step-siblings from Manhattan, Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, while on summer break from their elite prep school at this one-night-only Live Read, as the duo devises a plan to seek revenge on Kathryn’s ex-boyfriend when Sebastian sets his sights on a bigger challenge: he wants to seduce the new girl at their school. Set against a backdrop of 90s fashion, fantasy and debauchery, the story depicts the privileged children of wealthy aristocrats looking down from their Central Park apartments upon the rest of us mortals – mere pawns to be used in their cruel games.

Confirmed cast members include Amy Sedaris, Julia Fox, Justice Smith, James Scully, Tomas Matos, Martine Gutierrez and Spike Einbinder. Additional names to be announced.

“I cannot wait to immerse myself in this truly delicious world,” said Julio Torres. “Martine will make Sarah Michelle Gellar proud. Expect a lot of moaning.”

Julio Torres is a Film Independent Spirit Award- and Emmy®-nominated writer and comedian from El Salvador. He made his directorial feature film debut with A24’s Problemista, which premiered at SXSW in March 2023. Torres wrote the film and stars alongside Tilda Swinton, Isabella Rosselini and RZA. The film received two nominations at the 2025 Spirit Awards. Torres also wrote, directed, executive produced and starred in HBO’s six-episode series Fantasmas, which tells the story of a lost golden oyster. The show earned nominations at the 2025 Spirit Awards for Best New Scripted Series and Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series. Torres co-created HBO series Los Espookys with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, a Spanish-language comedy set in an unnamed Latin American country. Both seasons received critical acclaim and season two was awarded a 2023 Peabody Award in Entertainment, GLAAD Award and Dorian Award. Torres released his first picture book, I Want to Be a Vase, last year, inspired by his standup special, “My Favorite Shapes.” He received four Emmy nominations for his work on Saturday Night Live and was recognized as an honoree in TIME Magazine’s “TIME100 Next” list in 2023. Torres has additional acting credits and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Film Independent Presents has been producing Live Read for its audiences since 2011 and each exclusive, one-night-only performance brings together a cast of high-profile actors for unrehearsed, live stage readings of celebrated screenplays. Past Live Read guest directors and their chosen scripts include Edward Berger (Conclave), Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), Marvin Lemus (L.A. Story), Zoe Lister-Jones (Wayne’s World), Marlee Matlin (Sunset Boulevard), Natalie Morales (Napoleon Dynamite), Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness), Ben Schwartz (Back to the Future), Quentin Tarantino (The Hateful Eight), Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall) and Olivia Wilde (Hannah and Her Sisters), among others.

And previous Live Read performers and guests have included Lionel Boyce (The Bear), Nicholas Braun (Succession), Alison Brie (Apples Never Fall), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Eugenio Derbez (CODA), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Maya Erskine (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), Josh Gad (Book of Mormon), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), Riley Keough (Under the Bridge), Cooper Koch (Monsters), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Patton Oswalt (Young Adult), Simona Tabasco (The White Lotus), Tessa Thompson (Creed III), Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder), Steven Yeun (Nope), and many more.

Audiences will be transported back to 1999 as composer Lia Rusli live scores the evening, with other surprises in store.

For ticket information, please visit filmindependent.org.

Film Independent Presents is supported year-round by Lead Sponsor The Golden Globe Foundation. Additional support for this special event is provided by MUBI.
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Weekly Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. International programs provide cultural exchanges and career-building opportunities for film professionals around the world. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents offers a robust program of unique cinematic experiences, including screenings, conversations, Live Reads and Bring the Noise musical events.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.
 

About MUBI

MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.

MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.

Some recent and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary High & Low — John Galliano, Rodrigo Moreno’s The Delinquents, Felipe Gálvez’s The Settlers, Aftersun from Charlotte Wells, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.

MUBI Productions include Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches, Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Zia Anger’s My First Film starring Odessa Young and Devon Ross. MUBI Co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat, Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebush Pruning starring Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, Lukas Gage, Elena Anaya, Tracy Letts, Elle Fanning and Pamela Anderson, Michel Franco’s Memory, and Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning.