Nina, a Brazilian-American single mother, learns to ride a bike from her new boyfriend in preparation for a move to San Francisco to study art. As she learns to ride, she slowly comes to terms with how much she will miss her life in Brooklyn, her mother, and her new boyfriend, but she also knows that she must make the journey and get a degree for her and her daughter’s future.

Director's Statement

I am thrilled to present my film Learning to Ride, at the UCLA film Festival. This project has been a labor of love, born out of my desire to create something that I've never quite seen before, a story that I've longed to experience on screen.

Learning to Ride is a heartfelt exploration of the intricate dynamics within a Brazilian family living in the vibrant backdrop of New York City. At its core, it's a mother-daughter story, delving deep into the complexities of their relationship, the collision of cultures, and the pursuit of dreams. As a filmmaker, I was drawn to this narrative because I yearned for a film that felt authentic, yet carried a dreamlike quality.

The music in the short plays a pivotal role in shaping the emotional landscape of the story. Every note, every melody, is original and crafted specifically for the film, adding a layer of intimacy and

resonance to the characters and their journey. I also made a conscious choice to saturate the colors to create a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the naturalistic script. The result is a film that I believe is both visually and emotionally captivating. I'm excited to share it will all of you!

Crew

Luísa Parnes - Writer/ Director

Luísa Parnes is a Brazilian screenwriter based in Los Angeles.

With a law degree in hand, she took a bold step into the film and TV industry and never looked back. In 2012, she obtained her MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU/Tisch, and has since gained recognition from producers and distributors. As a script consultant for Amazon Studios Originals in Brazil, Luísa served as a story editor, collaborating closely with multiple showrunners and creators to provide creative feedback during the development process. She recently completed Buena Vida, a coming-of-age feature for Academy-Award nominated director Carlos Saldanha and Fox International Productions, which is being contemplated for production.

In addition, Luísa wrote and directed her first short film, Learning to Ride, which has been accepted into multiple film festivals, winning the Best Screenplay Award at the São Paulo Film Festival. The feature adaptation script has also been recognized, making it to the second round of the Sundance Screenwriter's Lab. Luísa's first feature film as a screenwriter, Before I Forget, premiered in theaters across Brazil and received international recognition, winning multiple Juri and Audience awards, including Best Movie at the Thai International Film Festival and Best Movie at the Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival. It has been watched by over 3 million people in Brazil since airing on television. Prior, Luísa’s screenplay, Michaela, placed in the top 15% of the Nicholl Fellowship and winning an Award of Merit from the Women's Independent Film Festival. Luísa currently teaches Screenwriting at the New York Film Academy, in Burbank.

Rabia Sultana - Producer

Born and raised in East London, Rabia performed on stage at the renowned Stratford Theatre and Criterion Theatre before studying Archaeology at the University of Sheffield, UK. She was a fellow in the inaugural Producer's Guild America's 'Create Fellowship Program' 2021-2022. As a part of the program’s Short Film Competition, Rabi a was awarded a grant from Google & PGA to produce the short film "Haider, Texas," currently in post-production.

Select credits include: Angelfish (TIFF Next Wave); On Our Way (Jordana Brewster, Michael Richardson, James Badge Dale); Extra Innings (Winner Best Feature Manhattan Film Festival); “Interference” (NBC/Universal Film Festival, BamCinematek New Voices in Black Cinema Festival). Rabia also worked on the 2019 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard winner, “The Climb”.

Most recent works produced are “Sour Milk” (Sierra McCormick, Ryan Simpkins, Jason Butler Harner), “The Disruptors“ (UBC’s Grant O’Brien, Ally Beardsley, and Marc Evan Jackson), and “Dope Queens” (Alexandra Grey, Tracy Lysette, and Pierson Fodé).

Rabia's TV credits include AMC's Bottomless Brunch at Colman's and Elara Pictures/Spotify's Chillin Island. Her documentary work includes "Bollywood NYC" (featuring ClassPass' Payal Kadakia), "Rocky Flats", and "Children of Chile".

Rabia believes a multicultural catalog of film is crucial to society's health, as each culture has its own special ingredient of wisdom. She is attracted to projects that widen this perspective and engage with stories outside of the mainstream. Rabia hopes her body of work to be a safe haven for the disenfranchised, a place where mystique, empowerment, and belonging can be found.

She is a member of BAFTA and the Producers Guild of America.

Muriel Moraes - Producer

Muriel, originally hailing from Brazil and now residing in the Orlando, boasts an impressive background in Marketing, which has been enriched by a profound passion for the film industry. Her journey began in Brazil, where she immersed herself in the world of cinema, driven by an unyielding love for storytelling.

She worked for many years under Academy-nominated director Carlos Saldanha at Blue Sky Animations studios. Currently, Muriel is engaged in the development of an animated series titled "Extraneous," which unravels the riveting tale of a young woman's discovery of her extraterrestrial identity amidst a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Beyond the realm of animated projects, Muriel is actively involved in the post-production of a captivating documentary centered around the esteemed Academy Award winner, Olympia Dukakis. Her dynamic and diverse portfolio is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the world of film and storytelling, consistently breaking new ground in the ever-evolving industry landscape.

Shannon Madden - Cinematographer

Shannon is a talented, award-winning DP. Credits include KEVIN CAN F*CK HIMSELF (AMC-DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

EPISODES 201-208), RAMY (A24/HULU–2ND UNIT DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY), AMONG OTHERS.

Heidi Black - Editor

An Amarillo Texas native, editor Heidi Black is known for her comedic timing, humanistic storytelling, and passion for sports. If you cut comedy it helps to be funny, and if you’ve ever been in her edit suite, there’s no doubt that Heidi had you chuckling with her dry and observational sense of humor. A consummate professional, Heidi has developed lasting relationships with The Martin Agency, Deutsch, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Wolfgang, and Leo Burnett telling stories for global brands including Geico, Discover, Bridgestone, Bubly, and Amazon. In addition to her comedy prowess, Heidi is also drawn to emotional storytelling. She’s the editor who likely moved you to tears with Google’s powerful It Gets Better, which was honored at both Cannes and AICP. On the other side of the spectrum, Heidi edited the hilarious Hyundai First Date for Super Bowl 50, starring Kevin Hart and earning the #1 ranking on USA Today’s Ad Meter. A generous editor committed to paying it forward, Heidi has been instrumental in mentoring the next generation of Whitehouse talent, many of whom have grown to become successful editors in their own right.

Behind the Scenes: