Ernie Bustamante is an Emmy-nominated TV writer, filmmaker, and nachos connoisseur.
He began his career as a writer’s assistant on the ABC dramedy BOSTON LEGAL and joined the WGA in 2010 after selling an original half-hour pilot script to 20th Television/FOX.
Since then, he has developed pilots for major studios and networks, including Sony, ABC, and Disney Television Animation, among others. Before the WGA strike, he was adapting the mystery series THE CHICO SANTANA MYSTERIES. He also served as the creator and showrunner of the award-winning satirical web series BORDER PATROL.
His staff writing credits span multiple formats, from multi-camera sitcoms like ROB (CBS) and LIV & MADDIE (Disney), to single-camera series such as FLIPPED (Quibi), and animated shows like the upcoming BARNEY reboot for Max. In 2022, he received an Emmy nomination for his writing on the PBS animated series ALMA’S WAY.
His films have screened at festivals throughout the country, including his political mockumentary short ELISE FOR CONGRESS and his recent music documentary short THE FUNKY LATINA.
Ernie is currently in pre-production on STREET SMART, an inspiring documentary about Sonia Manzano, the first Latina on television in a regular role – known to generations as “Maria” from SESAME STREET. He is also developing the indie sci-fi comedy feature ALIEN SUPERSTAR.
Ernie serves as an Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University, where he teaches in the Screenwriting Department. He holds a BA from Stanford and an MFA from UCLA.