Q&A with NYFA Alum Anne Salles on making her feature debut film "Roaming for You"

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy? 

A.S: I’m a screenwriter and director based in Brazil. Even though I was fascinated by movies since I was a kid, I used to think becoming a filmmaker was a far-off dream—especially growing up in a small town in southern Brazil. In high school, I was always drawn to art and creative fields, and my teachers were big supporters back then. Eventually, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Design, and that’s when I realized I could use cinema as a way to express my feelings just like any form of art does. As soon as I graduated college, I enrolled in a program at NYFA. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? What were some key milestones leading up to your first feature film? 

A.S: I never stopped working, directing, or writing—even on my own, on zero-budget projects with friends. I took every chance I got with any project that came my way. In 2016, I started working professionally as a video editor for commercials, ads, and documentaries at a production company in my hometown. 

In 2017, I joined CAL (Coletivo Audiovisual Lageano), a film collective in the city I had moved to that year—and becoming a member was a game changer for me. That same year, one of my screenplays was selected, funded, and produced by Novelo Filmes. “Nonna” (2018) was a big milestone for me as a screenwriter. It’s a live-action short that turned into an animated short because of the COVID pandemic. It was screened and awarded at some of Brazil’s most important film festivals, and it was also an official selection at the 39th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (2022). 

NYFA Alumni Network: What inspired the story of Roaming for You, and how did the project come to life? 

A.S: Roaming for You was written by Lucas Reichert and Bruna Borges, and the idea for the story came to them during a road trip they took together. It is also inspired by Lucas’ memories of struggling with a long-distance relationship in his teens—while in college, short on money, and mostly communicating through messages and video calls. That experience resonated with me, because I also had a long-distance relationship in my early twenties. We both shared that memory: the ache of missing someone far away, the uncertainty of not knowing where they were, what they were doing, or when we would see each other again. Beyond having known Lucas for a long time through CAL, we connected on that personal level as well. One thing led to another—the screenplay was selected, got funding from the state government, and he invited me to direct it. I didn’t have to think twice before saying yes. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Directing your first feature is a big step—what surprised you the most once you were on set? 

A.S: I believe that directing a film on a professional set made me understand the responsibility, scale and complexity of working in the film industry. I was a mix of fear and excitement. It was also inspiring to be surrounded by incredibly talented individuals, giving their best every day, working together towards the same goal and sharing the same passion.

NYFA Alumni Network: How did you approach directing a romantic comedy? Were there any stylistic or storytelling choices that made this project unique? 

A.S: Directing a romantic comedy was quite challenging, especially because it’s not a film genre I consume often, and it’s also not a common theme on my scripts. It was a process of deconstructing the molds I had in my directing style. I studied and researched references from comedies I enjoyed watching, as well as the ones Lucas had envisioned — such as Booksmart, Lady Bird, and Scott Pilgrim. In terms of style and storytelling, I wanted the film’s pace to be dynamic and fast, because it blends various languages such as comic books design, photography, motion graphics and 80s TV style — it’s a film that will be strongly built in the editing process. 

NYFA Alumni Network: You filmed in Brazil with government support—what was that experience like, and what did that kind of backing mean to you? 

A.S: Unlike the American productions, which operate mostly as a private industry through major studios and investors, Brazilian cinema relies much more on public incentives. Funding largely comes through cultural incentive laws. Each state or city has its own funds to support local productions, allocating resources to selected projects. Roaming For You only was only possible because we received funding from the State of Santa Catarina. Laws that provide incentives for culture are extremely important in Brazil. 

NYFA Alumni Network: You chose fellow NYFA alum Matteo Ghizzo Mazzon as the lead. What was it like working together, and how did you know he was right for the role? 

A.S: The funny thing is, at first I didn’t even know Matteo was a NYFA alum. I got a link to his reel and audition video, and I immediately knew he was perfect for the role. Then one day, we were hanging out on set and he goes, “Oh! Did I tell you I also went to NYFA?” and I was like, “What? Really?” He’s such a great actor—I knew I could trust him 100%. He’s the kind of actor who always finds ways to take a scene to the next level with his own vision and improv; it just comes naturally. I’m really glad we got to work together, and lucky we became good friends after this. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project? 

A.S: It’s fair to say that I have applied everything I learned at NYFA not only to this project, but to every project I have ever worked on. Even in my design work, I continue to draw on the knowledge I gained during my time at NYFA—whether it’s developing concepts, understanding aesthetics, mastering composition and color theory, or simply recognizing the importance of a specific camera movement in conveying emotion. 

NYFA congratulates Anne on all her success!