BernieZule Films A Latino Film & Television Studio Equity Crowdfunding
A studio named for my late parents, Bernie & Zulema — we develop, produce, and own the stories our community has waited to see, project after project.
Shooting in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas · 2027
The Company
BernieZule Films is a studio I founded to bring authentic Latino stories to film and television — named for my late parents, Bernie and Zulema. Latino audiences are one of the largest, most engaged, and most underserved audiences in the country, and we exist to close that gap: a company that develops, produces, and owns these stories, project after project. Our first film, Zulema, Stay Here, is the flagship that launches the studio — and becomes our first owned piece of IP.
You're backing the launch of the company itself — an independent studio creating authentic Latino-led stories for film and television — with Zulema, Stay Here as its flagship and proof of concept.
Founder Steven Escobar is a Primetime Emmy Award-winning editor with 40+ years in film and television and 2,000+ episodes — including 15+ seasons on CBS's Big Brother. Proven execution behind a first-time studio.
Latino audiences are among the most engaged moviegoing and streaming audiences in the country, yet remain badly underserved on screen. BernieZule is built to close that gap, project after project.
The company develops and owns its films and their copyrights, building a library that can keep generating licensing and revenue over time. Zulema, Stay Here becomes the studio's first owned asset.
A female-led Latino sports drama in the lane of McFarland, USA and Selena, with a $799,000 production budget under the SAG-AFTRA Moderate Low Budget Agreement (an $840,000 raise including platform fees). Screenplay complete; production planned for 2027.
We're inviting investors in at the founding of the studio — at the ground floor, as the flagship film moves into production.
Invest in the StudioWatch
A short look at the story, the team, and why the Rio Grande Valley is ready for its moment on screen.
Sizzle Reel Coming Soon
Your 60–90 second pitch video will live here
Investor-Ready Structure
Clear ownership. Experienced production. One aligned mission — built so investors know exactly who raises the capital and owns the stories, and who delivers them.
The Flagship Film
Every studio starts with one story. Ours is a female-led coming-of-age sports drama set in the Rio Grande Valley — the flagship that proves the model, built on themes that resonate far beyond South Texas.
Latino audiences remain one of the most influential moviegoing demographics in America, yet authentic stories from communities like the Rio Grande Valley remain underrepresented on screen.
A coming-of-age journey told through the eyes of a young Latina athlete navigating family, identity, ambition, and belonging — universal themes across generations.
Few feature films authentically portray the people, culture, and traditions of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley — an untapped, proud, built-in regional audience.
The Story
At six years old, Zulema Cantu watched her mother leave — taking her younger brother but leaving her behind with Abuela Jesusa, on the promise that she would return soon. She never did.
Twelve years later, Zulema has become one of South Texas' most talented volleyball players. When a college scholarship offers a chance to leave the Rio Grande Valley, she must confront a question she has carried her entire life: does leaving make her just like the mother who walked away?
Guided by Abuela's wisdom and challenged by her mother's unexpected return, Zulema discovers the difference between running away and choosing to go.
"Your mother left like a storm.
You will leave like a sunrise." — Abuela Jesusa
Meet the Family
Her journey is our story — a multi-generational family bound by love, regret, and the meaning of home.
One of South Texas' most talented volleyball players, channeling the pain of her mother's departure into relentless determination — until a scholarship forces her to ask: "If I leave, does that make me just like her?"
She carries the stories, traditions, and values that shaped generations of the Cantu family. Through her wisdom and unwavering love, she reminds Zulema that home isn't the place you stay — it's the place you carry with you.
Loyal, hardworking, and deeply connected to the Valley. A reformed "bad boy" and Army veteran who came home to build a better life — proof that you can succeed without leaving the place you love.
Twelve years ago she fled an abusive marriage, making a choice that defined her daughter's life. Now she returns to South Texas seeking accountability rather than absolution — neither villain nor hero, but deeply human.
The World of the Film
It's a character. Set across Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, and Hidalgo County, the film celebrates a region rarely portrayed authentically on screen.
Comparable Films & Audience
Stories about family, community, and finding your place — with a proven, built-in audience.
How the Film Generates Revenue
Diverse distribution channels create long-term value — a film can generate revenue long after production is complete.
The Founder · Experience. Passion. Commitment.
The Flagship · From Script to Screen
A disciplined route from development through release for our flagship film — the plan is ready, the team is ready.
The Raise & Use of Proceeds
We're raising $840,000 — the flagship film's $799,000 SAG-AFTRA Moderate Low Budget production, plus the platform and offering fees for equity crowdfunding.
Below: how the $799,000 production budget is put on screen.
Partnership & Sponsorship Levels
Beyond equity investment, local businesses can sponsor the film through product placement and partnership packages. Be seen on screen. Be recognized in our community.
Custom packages available — we're happy to create partnerships that align with your goals and your brand.
Momentum · Why Now
This isn't an idea on a napkin — it's a studio with its flagship film ready to move: screenplay written, budget locked, and an Emmy-winning founder at the helm.
Partner logos are added here as community businesses and supporters come on board.
How It Works
Equity crowdfunding opens the film to everyone — accredited and non-accredited investors alike — once our regulated campaign goes live.
Add your name today to reserve your spot. It's free and there's no commitment of any kind.
We'll email you the moment the official, SEC-compliant campaign opens for investment on our registered funding portal.
Review the terms, choose your amount, and become part of the story — securely through our registered funding portal.
Investor Perks
On top of your investment, every backer gets a little something for being part of the journey. (Separate from the business sponsorship packages above.)
Exclusive investor updates & your name on the digital Founders Wall.
Everything above, plus a signed digital poster & a social-media shout-out.
Everything above, plus a "Special Thanks" credit in the film & an exclusive cast & crew T-shirt.
Everything above, plus a Blu-ray Collector's Edition & behind-the-scenes production updates.
Everything above, plus two tickets to the cast & crew premiere & a private set-visit invitation.
Everything above, plus an official "Executive Producer" credit in the finished film & VIP premiere access.
Perks are appreciation bonuses offered to investors and are separate from any equity, securities, or financial return. Perks layer as you invest more — each level includes everything below it. Final perk levels and screen credits are confirmed when the campaign launches and may be adjusted to comply with the offering terms.
Become Part of the Story
Our equity crowdfunding campaign is launching soon. Join the investor interest list to be first to know when you can invest in BernieZule Films — the studio behind Zulema, Stay Here.
Invest in the studio through BernieZule Films — open to accredited and non-accredited investors once the campaign goes live.
Put your business in front of audiences through authentic, story-driven integration.
Hotels, restaurants, transportation, and local businesses can extend on-screen value.
Be part of a film that celebrates our people, our culture, and our region.
No commitment — we'll notify you when the campaign opens and share investor materials.
Honesty First
We believe great partnerships start with straight talk. Here's the honest picture before you ever consider investing.
This website is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Any offering will be made only through official materials filed with the SEC and conducted through a registered funding portal. Please review all offering materials and consult your own financial, legal, and tax advisors before investing.
Questions & Answers
The honest answers to what investors ask most. Don't see yours? Reach out anytime.
The Full Investor Deck
Browse the complete investor presentation. Click any slide to view it full-screen.
The Story Is Ready. Now We're Looking for Partners.