Zulema, Stay Here
Feature Film
Non Union
Abandoned at six by a mother who took her brother and left her behind, a guarded teenage volleyball star in South Texas must decide whether chasing a college scholarship makes her a runaway like the woman who left — or finally lets her leave home on her own terms.
Roles For This Project
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
ZULEMA CANTU — Lead 18, Mexican-American. The protagonist. A standout high-school volleyball player (#7, outside hitter/libero) who masks a six-year-old's abandonment wound under deadpan humor, anger, and a one-woman-rescue-mission playing style. Watchful, guarded, fiercely loyal to those who sta... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MOTHER / MOM (Juana) — Supporting — Pivotal Late 20s in flashback, late 30s present. Zulema's estranged mother. Fled domestic abuse with her younger child, leaving Zulema behind. Not a villain — a frightened woman who made a selfish, survival-driven choice and spends the present day seeking accou... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
LITTLE ZULEMA — MINOR (6-8) Supporting — Major Flashback Role 6 years old. The child version of our protagonist, featured in the film's pivotal opening flashback — a complete, emotionally devastating scene that sets the engine of the entire story. Thin, quiet, watchful; clutches a ragged doll thr... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (5-8) Toddler version of Freddy in the departure flashback — clings to and is carried out by the mother. Mostly non-verbal (crying / clinging); comfort with being held and gentle direction needed. Male · MINOR (5–8) · Latino/Hispanic · Guardian / work permit required
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17) Teens. Outside hitter and the team's most dramatic sufferer of conditioning (“Pretty sure my soul did suicides.” “My quads are in a toxic relationship with Coach.”). Comedic, expressive, lovably theatrical. Real serve-receive and attacking beats on camera; plays outside hitter. Female... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
Class-clown “student mayor” and Bernie's sidekick — constantly eating, endlessly ribbing Bernie about his crush. Easy charisma and strong comedic timing. Male · playable 18–21 · Latino/Hispanic · DAY PLAYER / RECURRING
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
BERNIE (Bernabé) — Lead / Supporting — Romantic Early 20s, Mexican-American. A sweet, self-deprecating, slightly awkward young man who works for the USDA fly-eradication program (“Bug Cop”) and keeps volunteering at concession stands to be near Zulema. A reformed “bad boy” and Army veteran who le... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MS. RAMIREZ — Supporting 30s. Warm, no-nonsense English teacher who pushes Zulema to write the true version of her story for her college essay. A mentor figure. Warm but no-nonsense English teacher and mentor who pushes Zulema toward emotional honesty. Female · playable 30–45 · Latina/Hispanic ... [See More]
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Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17), junior. Right-side hitter with a big laugh and a bigger personality — the vocal, competitive ringleader who chirps teammates (“Talk trash after you get your serve in, rookie”) and rallies the squad. Confident, warm, natural-captain energy. Hammers cross-court kills on camera; plays ri... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17), scrappy sophomore. Tiny, loud, fearless — a future libero with a work-in-progress serve and a struggling GPA she jokes about (“My serve is a work in progress. Like my GPA.”). Endearing underdog energy, self-deprecating humor, huge heart. Lots of digging and back-row defense on camera.... [See More]
More Roles For This Project
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
ZULEMA CANTU — Lead 18, Mexican-American. The protagonist. A standout high-school volleyball player (#7, outside hitter/libero) who masks a six-year-old's abandonment wound under deadpan humor, anger, and a one-woman-rescue-mission playing style. Watchful, guarded, fiercely loyal to those who sta... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MOTHER / MOM (Juana) — Supporting — Pivotal Late 20s in flashback, late 30s present. Zulema's estranged mother. Fled domestic abuse with her younger child, leaving Zulema behind. Not a villain — a frightened woman who made a selfish, survival-driven choice and spends the present day seeking accou... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
LITTLE ZULEMA — MINOR (6-8) Supporting — Major Flashback Role 6 years old. The child version of our protagonist, featured in the film's pivotal opening flashback — a complete, emotionally devastating scene that sets the engine of the entire story. Thin, quiet, watchful; clutches a ragged doll thr... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (5-8) Toddler version of Freddy in the departure flashback — clings to and is carried out by the mother. Mostly non-verbal (crying / clinging); comfort with being held and gentle direction needed. Male · MINOR (5–8) · Latino/Hispanic · Guardian / work permit required
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17) Teens. Outside hitter and the team's most dramatic sufferer of conditioning (“Pretty sure my soul did suicides.” “My quads are in a toxic relationship with Coach.”). Comedic, expressive, lovably theatrical. Real serve-receive and attacking beats on camera; plays outside hitter. Female... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
Class-clown “student mayor” and Bernie's sidekick — constantly eating, endlessly ribbing Bernie about his crush. Easy charisma and strong comedic timing. Male · playable 18–21 · Latino/Hispanic · DAY PLAYER / RECURRING
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
BERNIE (Bernabé) — Lead / Supporting — Romantic Early 20s, Mexican-American. A sweet, self-deprecating, slightly awkward young man who works for the USDA fly-eradication program (“Bug Cop”) and keeps volunteering at concession stands to be near Zulema. A reformed “bad boy” and Army veteran who le... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MS. RAMIREZ — Supporting 30s. Warm, no-nonsense English teacher who pushes Zulema to write the true version of her story for her college essay. A mentor figure. Warm but no-nonsense English teacher and mentor who pushes Zulema toward emotional honesty. Female · playable 30–45 · Latina/Hispanic ... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17), junior. Right-side hitter with a big laugh and a bigger personality — the vocal, competitive ringleader who chirps teammates (“Talk trash after you get your serve in, rookie”) and rallies the squad. Confident, warm, natural-captain energy. Hammers cross-court kills on camera; plays ri... [See More]
-
Submissions Due:
07/31/2026
MINOR (15-17), scrappy sophomore. Tiny, loud, fearless — a future libero with a work-in-progress serve and a struggling GPA she jokes about (“My serve is a work in progress. Like my GPA.”). Endearing underdog energy, self-deprecating humor, huge heart. Lots of digging and back-row defense on camera.... [See More]
