"We Ride" A Documentary About Black Surfers in NYC

Synopsis:

This project is about the exposure and expansion of Black Surf Culture in NYC.

Logline:

An Afro-Caribbean surfer, Nigel, moves to NYC in the 90's and opens a surf shop and fosters a community of black surfers.

Welcome, Familia!

My name is Mosiah Moonsammy and I have been an independent filmmaker for over ten years. This is my first feature film and I'm very excited to combine my two loves: filmmaking and surfing together. I have been surfing since I was a kid and I remember never seeing black surfers when I was growing up. The idea of filming something around black surfers came to me about six years ago but I wanted to be patient in finding the right story.

I started surfing in New York six years ago and I came across a gentleman by the name of Nigel, who is an afro Caribbean surfer who owns a surf shop in New York. When I walked into Nigel's surf shop I immediately felt like I was home. Nigel and the community at his surf shop become a place I had grown to love and I forged a friendship with Nigel.

After years of being a part of the community at Nigel's surf shop, I decided I had found the right story. The film will center around Nigel and his surf shop and the community of black surfers that he has fostered. Nigel has broken barriers, and been a mentor to giving inspiration and accessibility to the ocean through his surf shop.

I would love it if you would be a part of making history by telling the story of Nigel, his surf shop and black surfers in New York City.

The Team:

MOSIAH MOONSAMMY

DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

Mosiah Moonsammy received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University in 2009. After graduating, he relocated to NYC and expanded on his formal education in acting at the prestigious William Esper and Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

In 2015, Mosiah co-founded Just Jump Productions, a boutique production company specializing in original media content, where he has written, directed, and produced several independent video projects. Recently, his passion for storytelling has increasingly turned to working behind the camera more, serving as Associate Producer on the digital series Situationships; available on BET + and the director/writer on 161 feet under on IONE Digital.

Today, Mosiah has been traveling the country for his latest web series “Last Bodega In Brooklyn”. The series has won two awards and is currently playing in festivals around the world.

Mosiah is gearing up to direct his first feature film debut and is in the development of several feature films and television projects, continuing to hone his skills as a writer/director/producer.

Creating content and stories around communities of color to empower, enlighten and expand the black community through a new lens.

NIGEL

PRODUCER

Nigel was raised in Barbados and has been surfing since he was a kid. Water sports is common in Barbados and Nigel was a part of a culture and community that fostered his love for surfing.

Nigel moved to New York City when he was a kid but he didn't lose his love of surfing in the big apple. Instead, he went to the yellow pages and looked for any stores in New York that were attached to surfing.

Nigel has worked in the surf industry for over two decades and has learned the in and outs of the industry. His love for surfing has made him and his store a staple in the New York City surfing community.

FARMY

SURFER/TALENT

Farmy is Senegalese and was raised in Far Rockaway, New York. She is a model and an extraordinary surfer. When she's not on photoshoots you can catch her in the water on the front line. Multi-talented in many arena's she also works for a non-profit helping under privileged youth on how to swim and surf in her community.

PAUL

SURFER/TALENT

Born and raised in far Rockaway. Paul begin skating and found his love and connection to surfing through a natural progression. You can catch Paul repairing surfboards at Stations and when he's not at the surf shopping he's carving on waves in the water.

SURFER/TALENT

Quest is from Fort Greene Brooklyn and has been skating since he was a kid and surfing for the last three-four years. He travels the world to surf and makes epic surf content. Quest and Paul are rising stars in the surf community as they are developing waves in an industry by connecting with brands and showing their skills in the water.

AUSTIN & TRAVIS

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Austin and Travis are exceptionally talented cinematographers. Austin and Travis's credits include filming fashion week in New York, commercials for major brands, and series.

Austin, Travis and Mosiah have been working together for the last five years. Winning awards for “Last Bodega In Brooklyn” and filming commercials together.

Expenses:

Two Red Digital Cinema V-Raptor XL 8KVV (33 Day Rental) = $14,000

This is one of the highest quality cameras in cinema and will give the team and I the best visuals

1 Red Komoda Housing (16 day Rental) = $3,000

This is a protective kit for the camera to go under water

Production Crew (33 Days) = $25,000

Two Directors of Photography

Sound

Gaffer

Post-Production (TBD) = $30,000

Editor

Colorist

Composer

Craft Services = $3,000

Feed the crew and talent on shoot days

Marketing and Advertising = $28,000

Social Media Platforms (YouTube, InstaGram, Facebook, Twitter and Tik-Tok) to Drive Awareness around the film.

Additional Information

As a surfer myself I understand how people have judged me by not playing by the norms of society. I don't play by the norms as a filmmaker and challenge the film world with stories that need to be told. I would love if you joined me in breaking these norms and expanding on new possibilities.

Thank You so much for supporting us on this project we appreciate you!