Arts Circle, Film Lover, Secret (shhh…) Members and Fellows (with an active Membership), make sure to take advantage of your exclusive priority registration window for Programmers’ Picks events, after which all Film Independent Members will have the opportunity to register.
 
Join us for this online screening of Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), followed by an in-person conversation with writer/director Joel Alfonso Vargas, moderated by Carolina Saavedra (Executive Producer, Writer, Creative).

In a tight-knit Dominican American community in The Bronx, Rico (Juan Collado) is hustling his way through the summer, selling nutties out of a beach cooler and chasing girls, without a care in the world. But when his teenage girlfriend Destiny (Destiny Checo) begins crashing at his place with his family, turning their small apartment into a stage for their messy, complicated young love, it’s only a matter of time before they’re hit with the sobering reality of growing up too fast in a city that waits for no one.

Writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas turns his hometown into the heartbeat of his debut feature, teaming up with street-cast talent Collado and Checo, to deliver a raw and deeply authentic look at life in The Bronx. With humor and grit, Vargas paints a tender portrait of the chaos and charm of urban life, and the ups and downs of youthful abandon when things take an unexpected turn.

The film had its World Premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and also played at New Directors/New Films and the Berlinale.

From Oscilloscope Laboratories, Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) will be released on April 17.

Beverages will be served prior to the screening, starting at 7:00 pm PT.

 
2025, 101 minutes, color | Written and Directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas | Main Cast Juan Collado, Destiny Checo, Yohanna Florentino, Nathaly Navarro | Produced by Paolo Maria Pedullà | Executive Produced by Christine Vachon, Gabriel Mayers, Julie Waters, Evan Dyal, Robina Riccitiello, Josh Peters, Liam Francis Quigley
 

Registration Information

Film Independent Arts Circle, Film Lover and Secret Members, and Fellows (with an active Membership) can register for this online event starting at 4:00 pm on Monday, March 30. | Registration is free; one registration per Membership. | Proof of Member status is required.

Arts Circle Members are guaranteed access to this screening. For information about Arts Circle, contact Jennifer Murby at jmurby@filmindependent.org.
 

How to Watch

On the first day of screening availability, registered Members (and guests, when applicable) will be emailed a secure link by our partner Vision Media to watch this title in the Film Independent Presents Online Screening Room.
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.
 

Online Screening Policies

Availability window and registration capacity may vary; always register as early as possible to ensure access. Links are watermarked, nontransferable and may only be used by the Member who completed the registration. Limit one link per Membership, per event.

Members are required to follow all rules and guidelines as laid out by Film Independent and/or its partners. If a guest has been registered for an event by a Member, these policies shall apply to that guest. Violation of policies may result in suspension or termination of Membership.

Event details and guest participation are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.