A short film on gratitude and big-wave surfing featuring João “Massas” de Macedo, “Heaven is on my Side” is simultaneously a documentary and a meditation on environmental consciousness through Macedo's experience at the world’s biggest wave in Nazaré, Portugal. Director's Statement: This short film was born of the desire to portray my friend and big-wave surfer João “Massas” de Macedo’s unique relationship with the giant waves of Nazaré, one of deep gratitude and respect, both for the wave and the whole community that surrounds it. Plus he absolutely charges out there, so to get a front-row seat to that, both on competition and non-competition days, was an absolutely incredible opportunity I jumped at. As if shooting big-wave surfing wasn't hard enough though, we decided to shoot on Super 8 film, to keep the crew to a minimum and to create a timeless aesthetic that reflected the location and themes of the film.

I am a writer and director making films for both branded and entertainment purposes. I was born in London, but am currently living back in my hometown, Lisbon. I won the Sarah Willis Poetry Prize at the age of 19 in New York, attended the London Film School, and was selected for Berlinale Talents. My short films have been shown and awarded at festivals like Clermont-Ferrand, Tampere, London Short FF, and International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), and recognised by MTV, NOWNESS, Stab Magazine, Carve Magazine, BoooooooomTV! and Vimeo Staff Picks. Alongside these I have created original content for brands like Rizla, Fred Perry, Lisbon Fashion Week, and Vodafone. I like epic clouds, dogs, and driving to loud music.