About | Leopoldo Torres

LEO TORRES

DIRECTOR / PRODUCER / WRITER

After being influenced by directors like Dario Argento, Martin Scorsese, and Lars Von Trier, he realized he wanted to pursue filmmaking after sitting in a cinema watching the double feature that is Grindhouse in 2007. He went into university thinking about founding LMT Films until he meet Molly Selep who changed his life. After he took a long hiatus, the pandemic woke up something in him. He married Molly and revitalized his career with State Trooper, winning two laurels out of state as he convinced his team to start the journey with him. His favorite film is either The Dark Knight or Fellini's 8-1/2 depending on the day.

MOLLY TORRES

CINEMATOGRAPHER / PRODUCER

She is the brilliant mind behind all the visuals of Poison Arrow Films. After meeting Leo Torres in the summer of 2008, Molly first shot the viral Love Hurts (800k+ views on Youtube) before they formed a working relationship that has lasted to this day. Her primary influences are Sven Nykvist and Wally Pfister and will continue to use dutch angles and use high contrast to the benefit of the image.

Meet the rest of the Team

These core members of the Poison Arrow Films team are responsible for keeping the creativity alive when the going was tough.

WRITER / PRODUCER / SCRIPT SUPERVISOR

Dan Cuthbert

Dan credits Eastern Illinois' Booth library for showing him the genius of Orson Welles, the color palette of Michael Mann, and the penmanship of Paddy Chayefsky. While not coming to the arts from any "traditional" route, he's a firm believer that cinema is open to all those who believe in its power to influence, inform, and introduce. He looks forward to continuing the never-ending conversation we have with ourselves and each other.

WRITER / PRODUCER / AUDIO

Michael O'Malley

Michael Charles O'Malley has been imaging and writing stories for his entire life. From a young age, he would put on shows for his family using stuffed animals and action figures. Now, many years later, a dream has come true. Micheal has worked in a multitude of roles within the team, including the listed above, a set designer, and a prop master. He is forever grateful to Poison Arrow Films and looks forward to the future.

WRITER / PRODUCER / ASST DIRECTOR

Cliff Phillips

Born and raised in Chicago, Cliff took to the arts naturally considering his origins. Graffiti writer and rapper under the moniker "Cliff Notes" he also used his literary hand in script outlines and filmmaking. He met Leo in 2009 and struck a friendship that has preserved to this day. He is one of the main driving forces behind Runner and has full length feature idea in pipeline. He is a fan of Chevelle.

Talent Relations / Moral Support

Ozymandias Torres

Adopted into the Torres family in 2024, this pup rose to the occasion and inserted himself into Poison Arrow Films. Oz makes sure he is not left out of the process from early preproduction to rap parties. Helping on set with talent relations he monitors the set to ensure everyone's well being. He only wishes he too could join the cast and crew during festival runs.