BernieZule Films A Latino Film & Television Studio Regulation Crowdfunding · Revenue Share
A studio named for my late parents, Bernie & Zulema — launching with our first feature film, Zulema, Stay Here. Invest to help bring it to the screen and share in the film's revenue.
Shooting in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas · 2027
Investors receive a revenue share in the film — a percentage of its revenue up to a fixed multiple of the amount invested. This is not an equity stake in the studio.
Testing-the-waters notice. No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if sent in response, will not be accepted. No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary's platform. A person's indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.
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 our mission is to help close that gap. This offering funds our first feature film, Zulema, Stay Here — and investors receive a revenue share in that film, not an ownership stake in the company.
You're helping fund Zulema, Stay Here, our first feature film. In return you'd receive a revenue share in the film — a percentage of its revenue up to a fixed multiple — not equity or ownership in the studio.
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 film is built to earn across theatrical, streaming, licensing, and more. Your revenue share is calculated from the film's revenue across those windows, if and as it earns.
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 to help fund the film as it moves toward production in 2027 — on the terms set out in our official offering materials.
Invest in the FilmWatch
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 structure. Experienced production. One aligned mission — built so investors know exactly who raises the capital and holds the film's rights, and who delivers it.
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 the Regulation Crowdfunding offering.
Below: how the $799,000 production budget is put on screen.
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
Regulation Crowdfunding opens the film to everyone — accredited and non-accredited investors alike — once our regulated campaign goes live.
Add your name to join the notification list. 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 headline placement on the Founders Wall, an on-screen "Special Thanks — Founding Supporter" recognition, and full VIP premiere access with a private set visit.
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 Regulation Crowdfunding offering is launching soon. Join the notification list to be first to know when you can invest in the film Zulema, Stay Here, from BernieZule Films.
Join the notification list below — open to accredited and non-accredited investors once the offering goes live.
Be part of a film that celebrates our people, our culture, and our region.
Looking to support as a business? Sponsorship & product placement is handled separately from any securities offering — sponsors receive no securities and no financial return.
Add your name and we'll email you when the offering opens. This is an indication of interest only — it is free, non-binding, and creates no obligation of any kind.
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
Our investor presentation is being revised to match the current offering terms and disclosures. The updated deck — carrying the required legend — will be posted here before our Regulation Crowdfunding offering opens. Join the notification list to be told the moment it's available.
The Story Is Ready. Now We're Looking for Partners.