"OFFICIAL SELECTION"
International Shorts Film Festival 2018
Melbourne, Australia
"OFFICIAL SELECTION"
Paladino d'Oro Sport Film Festival 2018
Palermo, Italy
"SEMI-FINALIST"
Kenya International Sports Film Festival 2018
Nairobi, Kenya
FERNANDO'S RIDE
Fernando de Andrade used to be homeless, living on the streets of the world’s eighth biggest city, São Paulo in Brazil. In 2018 Fernando took part in ‘Race to the Rock’, riding his bike over 3,000km across the Australian outback to raise awareness to support homeless youth. Produced by Presidential Productions and directed by James Cunningham, Fernando's Ride is a short documentary about Fernando, and his ride.
Fernando's journey from the streets of Brazil to his new life in Australia has been a long one, steeped in struggle and sacrifice. He used his creative talent to make jewellery from objects he found on the streets, his only income. The kindness of strangers who recognised his talent gave him hope. He found love, and followed his heart to a new country and a new life.
This softly spoken young man who has established a thriving jewellery business in Australia, and lives the life that many only dream of, has never forgotten his humble beginnings. He has overcome so many challenges, none so great as surviving on the streets of São Paulo. In an effort to ensure that other young people living on the streets know that there is hope, that people care and are prepared to reach out with the hand of friendship, he took on one more challenge; a 3,000km bike ride through some of the harshest conditions in Australia to raise awareness of the plight of these young people in Brazil, Australia and around the world, and to raise money to help make their life a little easier.
Presidential Productions joined Fernando in producing a documentary about his epic journey.
“We are trying to help people around the world that have had the same experience as me, and people who are still living on the streets.”
- Fernando de Andrade
ABOUT 'RACE TO THE ROCK'
Race to the Rock is an annual ultra-distance bicycle race through the Australian outback, an endurance cycling race to the centre of Australia. Unlike stage races, such as the Tour de France, ultra-distance races like Race to the Rock start and run continuously until the competitors finish the race, forcing them to make such strategic choices as whether it would be better to take time to eat or sleep.
The course varies every year, but finishes at Uluru. Roads are mostly unsealed, with limited water supplies, and stretches of 400-500 kilometres at times with no food resupply available. The event is so tough only one person managed to finish the event in 2017. The gruelling annual event begins from Albany, Western Australia and finishes at Uluru in the Northern Territory.