BIKELANTIS is a feature documentary about bicycle culture around the United States and follows filmmaker Manny Cervantes on an autobiographical sketch of his love of people and communities centered on bike-friendliness.

Since 2012, Director/Producer Manny Cervantes was working hard on accomplishing one of his dreams, a full-length documentary on bicycle culture around the United States. He toured the country filming and interviewing cyclists of all stripes to get a perspective on what is advancing cycling in their specific areas.

BIKELANTIS explores more than 20 cities and looks at bike shops, bike sharing, advocacy, bike touring and many other topics affecting cyclists nationwide. Lafayette, Indiana is featured as a vibrant, cycling community where biking is evolving and the Hood Ride Bicycle Shop in Phoenix, Arizona is showcased as an example of a fully realized bicycle habitat.

Shorty after completing principal photography, Emmanuel Cervantes, 35, of Lafayette, Indiana, passed away on May 15, 2014. Manny was a creative thinker and an energetic force who made lasting connections with many people in the communities he visited. Being with him typically included riding bikes, taking chances, thoughtful talks about art or bike culture, and some laughs.

In filming BIKELANTIS, Manny rode around the country seeking out diversity in cycling experiences and searching for this bike utopia in real life. While Manny is no longer with us, his dream to uncover and redeem Bikelantis lives on.

He was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, but registered as a Mexican citizen to Susana Venis and Alvaro Cervantes on April 11, 1979. He was raised in Montgomery County, Indiana.

Manny graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana majoring in cinematography and spent his career working in various small business media production settings, shooting and editing commercials and other video projects. His freelance promotional videos for various artists and community arts and cultural events are widely viewed online. Manny was also involved in teaching youth in the community.

In his later years, he grew as a biking enthusiast and began working on this documentary film, chronicling his various cycling trips around the country.

This is BIKELANTIS. #livelikeManny

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