“BARRIO” Shines at The 2025 Orange County Latino International Film Festival

Jackie Torres directed, wrote, and starred in her first theater play at the age of 12. By the age of 16 she had already acted in over a dozen national commercials in Puerto Rico. It was no surprise to her close ones when she got a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Theater from the University of Maryland, a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Puerto Rico, and completed the acting program of HB Studios in New York. Soon enough she became the host of her first TV show: “TVS,” at a local cable station in Puerto Rico, which gave her enough exposure to be hired by the top TV Network: Telemundo. There, she produced “Marcano…El Show,” “Con lo que Cuenta este Pais,” “Pequenos…Grandes Lecciones,” and “Videoteces,” all among the top ten in ratings, and the first two went up to the number one spot. Later on, Telemundo brought Jackie to Los Angeles California to produce “La Hora Lunatica,” the first show to win in its time slot over its strongest competitor. It did not take long for her to venture into the cinema world where she played the lead roles in Mexican films: “El Guero Estrada,” “La Paloma y el Gavilan,” “Cuatro Meses de Libertad,” and “Clave Secreta,” among others. Hollywood followed. She has starred in several independent films, including “The Price of the American Dream,” which she also directed, and co-wrote, “Perfect Assassins,” with Robert Patrick, and “Miss Castaway,” with Michael Jackson. In TV she starred in NBC’s “ER,” and in CBS’ “The District.” Her directing career also includes “East LA King,” and “Crossing Frontiers,” both about the Latino reality in the United States.