Business
From Law to Award-Winning Film
Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas did not follow a straight career line. He built one chapter at a time. Lawyer. Filmmaker. Producer. Partner. Athlete. His career shows how skills from one field can shape success in another, even years later.
Based in Monterrey, Mexico, Bernardo is now best known for his work as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and partner in a post-production studio. But his professional story began far from film sets.
Growing Up in Monterrey: Discipline and Motion
Bernardo grew up in Monterrey, Mexico. From a young age, movement was part of his life. He rode BMX and mountain bikes daily. That routine shaped his mindset.
“Being on a bike teaches you focus,” he says. “You fall, you get back up, and you keep going.”
That early discipline stayed with him. It later showed up in his professional life, even when the work looked very different.
Studying Law and Building a Firm
Bernardo studied law at Universidad Regiomontana. He became a lawyer and later a partner at a law firm, a role he held from 2008 to 2022.
Law taught him structure. Contracts. Planning. Risk.
“An idea only matters if you turn it into a plan,” he says. “Step by step.”
For more than a decade, he worked in the legal world. But another interest kept growing in the background.
Entering Filmmaking Through Curiosity
In 2013, Bernardo began directing and producing documentaries. At first, it was not about awards or scale. It was about telling a story well.
“In filmmaking, my goal is simple,” he says. “I want people to sit down, forget about themselves, and enjoy a story.”
His legal background helped more than expected. Negotiation. Organization. Long timelines.
“People think filmmaking is only creativity,” he says. “It’s also contracts, schedules, and persistence.”
Breakthrough With Award-Winning Documentaries
’s first major documentary, The Weekend Sailor, brought international recognition. The film involved world-class sailors and reached audiences far beyond Mexico.
He collaborated with Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran, on the project. The film screened globally and received significant awards, including recognition at high-profile film festivals and events in Europe and the United States.
“Working with people at the top of their fields changes your standard,” Bernardo says. “You learn how much preparation matters.”
His second major documentary, The Michoacán File, further expanded his reach. The film involved well-known chefs and featured actor Danny Trejo. It also earned major awards, including the James Beard Award, as well as honors at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Awards followed, but Bernardo stayed focused on the process.
“I have committed many mistakes,” he says. “Each one was a lesson.”
Building a Film Business, Not Just Films
Today, Bernardo is a partner in a post-production studio. He balances creative direction with operational decisions.
“Creativity needs structure,” he says. “Without it, projects don’t finish.”
He views filmmaking as a long game. Funding. Distribution. Platform access.
“My goal is to be available on many platforms,” he says. “Stories should travel.”
That business mindset separates hobby projects from sustainable production.
Facing Doubt and Staying Consistent
Bernardo is open about the obstacles he faced. Fear. Self-doubt. Financial pressure. Competition.
“These things are natural,” he says. “Working hard and believing in your ideas helps you overcome them.”
Consistency matters more than bursts of motivation.
“Certainty, dedication, and constancy,” he says. “That’s how you move forward.”
Life Beyond Film Sets
Outside work, Bernardo lives an active life. He is married and has three children. Family plays a central role.
“My father, my mother, my wife, and my kids,” he says. “They keep me grounded.”
He continues to ride enduro mountain bikes, sail, ski, cook, and act. These activities fuel creativity and balance.
“There is time for everything,” he says. “Day by day.”
A Career Built on Faith in Ideas
Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas shows that careers do not need to stay fixed. Skills transfer. Lessons stack.
“Never lose faith in your plans,” he says. “And don’t let anyone change your mind.”
From law to film, from contracts to cameras, his work reflects patience, structure, and creative risk. Not an overnight success. Just steady motion forward.
