Swimming documentary to screen at film festival

A documentary looking at black women and their relationship to swimming will form part of a film festival celebrating its fifth birthday.

Created by Northampton filmmaker Cat White, Swim Sistas looks at the sisterhood and resilience of black women across generations and their connection to swimming.

It is one of more than 80 films shown across Northampton from 28 February to 8 March as part of the Northampton Film Festival.

Becky Carrier, the founder and festival director, said: "We'll be really making a scene as we celebrate all that we've achieved in five years, and the many individuals and organisations that have helped us do so."

Each story within the film is said to be a reflection on resistance, womanhood and the act of returning to the water.

Filmed at Penshurst Place in Kent, the film also features rugby player and BBC Traitors contestant Jasmine Boatswain, athlete Lexi Sandiford and Roni Bruno, who learned to swim at the age of 54.

The documentary is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Naomie Harris.

White said she is developing the film into a mini anthology series, which would be part of a wider initiative to create the UK's first national archive documenting black women and girls in aquatic spaces.

The film festival, which was first held in 2019, opens on 28 February at Delapre Abbey in Northampton.

Alongside screenings, the festival will host free networking for creatives and games designers, National Careers Week events for schools and colleges, and a red carpet Young Filmmakers Awards ceremony.

Other highlights include Project Rockclimber, following disabled adventurer Nick Wilson's attempt to summit Snowdon, and The Corinthians: We Were The Champions, telling the story of a women's football team that defied a 50-year ban.

Star power comes from comedy short The Stork, featuring Friday Night Dinner actor Tom Rosenthal.

Films and other events will also be screened at Northampton Filmhouse, Northampton School for Girls' Spinney Theatre, the University of Northampton, and The Royal Theatre.

The Festival runs until 8 March.

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