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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!
Luisa 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 Jury 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.
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!
Luisa 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 Jury 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.