Tribeca Films to Release Independent Comedy Serious People by Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson
Tribeca Films, the distribution label from Tribeca Enterprises and Giant Pictures, has officially announced the upcoming release of Serious People, an experimental independent comedy created by filmmakers Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson.
The film, which made its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, is now set for a theatrical release on November 14, 2025, through the independent, artist-driven production company MEMORY, followed by a digital release via Tribeca Films on December 16, 2025.
In a statement, Pasqual Gutierrez, who co-wrote, co-directed, and stars in the film, shared that the project was a labor of love among lifelong friends. He noted that the film was something he and Mullinkosson had envisioned since their days as post-grad roommates. “It’s the kind of filmmaking you dream about when you’re a kid,” Gutierrez said, underscoring the personal connection behind the story.
Serious People centers on Pasqual, a successful music video director and soon-to-be father who takes on an ambitious project he can’t refuse. When the demands of his professional life clash with his personal responsibilities, he hires a doppelgänger to take his place at work — a decision that spirals into a sharp, comedic exploration of identity, ambition, and replaceability in the clout-driven world of Los Angeles. The film blends absurdity with real emotion, reflecting what it means to juggle creative passion and family life.
According to Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, the film “embodies the inventive, fearless spirit of independent filmmaking that Tribeca Films was built to champion.” She praised Gutierrez and Mullinkosson’s collaboration as a reflection of the creativity, humor, and heart that continues to draw audiences to independent cinema.
The film’s creative team includes Christine Yuan (Gutierrez’s real-life partner), RJ Sanchez (his longtime directing partner), and Miguel Huerta in key roles. It was produced by Ryan Hahn for HPLA, Laurel Thomson for Long Holiday, and Teddy Lee, with executive producers Jerad Anderson and Natasha Atalla Seubert for Florence, as well as Christine D’Souza Gelb and Julia Nelson for 2AM, which also handled the film’s sale.
Serious People runs approximately 84 minutes and was shot in the United States, in English. The film is said to be partially based on true events, adding an extra layer of authenticity to its quirky premise.
The movie’s release also caps off a standout year for Tribeca Films, which continues to highlight bold and emerging voices in independent cinema. Other notable 2025 titles in its lineup include We Can Be Heroes by Carina Mia Wong and Alex Simmons, The Premiere by Christopher Bouckoms and Sam Pezzullo, One Night With Adela by Hugo Ruíz, If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing by Sadie Bones, Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue by Jill Campbell, The Britto Doc by Patrick Moreau, and A Bronx Tale: One Man Show by Chazz Palminteri.
For more details on upcoming releases, visit Tribeca Films or check out the Sundance Film Festival official lineup.
Serious People will be in theaters November 14, 2025, and available digitally December 16, 2025.
