Filmmakers

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Ernie Bustamante • Director

Ernie Bustamante is an Emmy-nominated TV writer turned indie filmmaker. His work centers Latino characters and draws from his roots in the Arizona desert. Trained in the writers’ rooms of network television, he has written for multiple series, developed pilots for major studios, and created the award-winning satirical web series BORDER PATROL. His debut feature documentary, STREET SMART: LESSONS FROM A TV ICON, tells the story of trailblazer Sonia Manzano—aka “Maria” from SESAME STREET—and how she changed American TV forever. Ernie is based in West Hollywood and serves as an Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at LMU. He holds a BA from Stanford and an MFA from UCLA.

Steven Canals • Producer

Steven Canals is an Emmy nominated and Peabody Award winning co-creator, executive producer, writer and director of FX’s POSE (2018-2021), which featured the largest transgender cast in tv history. A groundbreaking Queer, Afro-Puerto Rican creator, Steven has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 50 Most Powerful LGBTQ Players in Hollywood, and one of Hollywood’s 50 Most Powerful TV Showrunners. Steven is currently directing episodically while developing new projects that center the stories of historically underrepresented communities under his Story Ave. Productions banner.

Maor Azran • Producer

Maor Azran is an Emmy-nominated producer most recently known for executive producing the Netflix true crime series COLD CASE: THE TYLENOL MURDERS, which was ranked number one most watched series on Netflix US & UK soon as it was launched. He also executive produced the four-part documentary series BURIED (Showtime) — which was nominated for two Emmys. Outside of non-fiction work, Maor is executive producing a series adaptation of Forty Lashes Less One by Elmore Leonard, the film adaptation of Golden Child with Sarah Jessica Parker, and REVOLUTIONARIES with writer/director Steven Canals.

Executive Producers

Destina Orozco & Emilio Orozco

Elyssa Bustamante

Renee Cafaro

Jim Helmink

Brian Mathy

Kristy Rider

Co-Producer/Editor

Sean Puglisi