pug queen

a feature documentary

LOGLINE

A former Playboy Bunny trades glamor for grit as she and her partner rescue abused pugs by the dozens—facing heartbreak, chaos, and the daily challenge of running a dog sanctuary that threatens to tear their relationship apart.

synopsis

Pug Queen is a raw and intimate documentary that follows Izabella St. James—a former Playboy Bunny turned fierce animal advocate—and her fiancé Bart Voitila as they rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dozens of abused pugs from across the country. On their San Diego farm, where as many as 80 pugs live at a time, the couple pours their time, money, and hearts into a never-ending cycle of emergency vet visits, messy feedings, emotional farewells, and joyful new beginnings.

Izabella, driven by compassion and unshakable conviction, is the soul of the operation. Bart—an actor, entrepreneur, and captain of the U.S. Footgolf Team—is the grounded counterpart, providing structure to the chaos. As the couple navigates the daily stressors of their mission, their bond is pushed to its limits. Through the lens of one major rescue and a series of unpredictable adoption stories, Pug Queen explores the cost of living a life of purpose—and the love that makes it all worth it.

STORY + TIMELINE

ACT I: Introduction to the World

  • Meet Izabella and Bart at their home, surrounded by dozens of pugs.

  • Show the daily chaos—feeding routines, vet runs, medication schedules.

  • Flashbacks and archival footage to introduce Izabella’s transformation from Playmate to rescuer, and Bart’s background as an actor, entrepreneur and captain of the American Footgolf Team.

  • Briefly touch on how they met and how this shared mission evolved.

ACT II: Inciting Rescue Effort

  • A tip or plea for help sparks a new rescue—possibly a hoarding situation or abuse case.

  • Preparation: long drives, legal concerns, emotional stakes.

  • Tension builds between Izabella’s impulsive compassion and Bart’s need for order.

  • The actual rescue unfolds—raw, emotional, potentially dangerous.

ACT III: Rehabilitation & Relationships

  • New pugs are introduced to the pack—some traumatized, some sick, some ready to love again.

  • Parallel threads of key adoptions, each showing different adopter dynamics and challenges.

  • Bart and Izabella navigate disagreements—on spending, medical decisions, their time together.

  • Interviews and moments of reflection deepen the emotional stakes.

Conclusion: Resolution & Reflection

  • The fate of the rescue pugs becomes clear—some adopted, some long-term fosters, some pass away.

  • Final montage of rescued pugs in their new homes and the couple back at work, overwhelmed but not stopping.

  • End with a sense of realism: the job is never done, but the love keeps them going.

Content breakdown

At the center of the campaign is a YouTube series featuring intimate pug rescue moments—including feedings, medical care, and individual dog profiles that highlight each pug’s journey.

These short, emotionally charged videos are tailor-made for social sharing and will serve to, build community around the cause of animal rescue, drive traffic and engagement leading up to the film’s release, and attract press and influencer interest within the pet and lifestyle space.

YouTube Episodes

  • 3 Feeding Episodes (3-5 minutes each)
    Intimate, playful looks at the daily feeding rituals, showcasing the unique personalities of the pugs and the chaos and love that defines mealtime at the rescue.

  • 3 Adoption Check-In Episodes (2-3 minutes each)
    Visiting dogs who have already been adopted, these episodes show how rescue changes lives—both for the pugs and the people who welcomed them into their homes.

  • 1 Medical Visit Episode (3-5 minutes)
    A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the essential medical care that helps transform abused or neglected pugs into healthy, happy pets ready for new beginnings.

Social Media Videos

  • 2 short social videos (15-30 seconds) per episode
    Each episode will be paired with two snappy, highly shareable clips tailored for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts—spotlighting joyful moments, transformations, or irresistible pug charm to drive audiences to the full content.

Sponsorship Goals
We aim to secure sponsorship from a brand within the pet industry (dog food, veterinary services, pet insurance, etc.) to help offset production and distribution costs for the feature. The campaign offers authentic brand integration, reaching an emotionally invested audience of dog lovers and rescue advocates.