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Oscar Buzz for Black British Women's Water Film
15 Nov
Summary
- Swim Sistas, a film on black British women and water, longlisted for an Oscar.
- The 11-minute film was made on a £5,000 budget and took one day to shoot.
- Narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Naomie Harris, it aims to change swimming narratives.
A documentary short film titled 'Swim Sistas,' which explores the relationship black British women have with water, has achieved a significant milestone by being longlisted for an Oscar in the Best Documentary Short Film category. Directed by Northampton native Cat White, the 11-minute film is recognized for its powerful depiction of celebration and empowerment.
Jasmine Boatswain, who also hails from Northampton and appeared in the second series of 'The Traitors,' expressed her astonishment at the film's reception, highlighting its themes of freedom and female empowerment. The production was remarkably efficient, taking only a single day to shoot with a budget of £5,000. Adding to its prestige, the film is narrated by the acclaimed, Oscar-nominated actor Naomie Harris.
'Swim Sistas' features notable individuals such as Alice Dearing, the first black woman to represent Team GB in swimming at the Olympics, athlete Lexi Sandiford, and Roni Bruno, who learned to swim at the age of 54. Director Cat White described the film as a "labour of love," originating from her personal experiences with early morning swimming during the Covid-19 pandemic, which provided her with peace and healing after a double bereavement.
The film also addresses the stark statistics from Swim England, indicating that only about 5% of black adults in the United Kingdom regularly swim. White expressed a desire to showcase the joy of swimming to a wider audience who might look like her, aiming to "change the narrative." The film has garnered numerous awards, including Best Documentary at the Northampton Film Festival and the Jury's Choice Award at the Academy Award-qualifying Thomas Edison Film Festival.
Further recognition for 'Swim Sistas' includes Best Documentary at the BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying Women X Film Festival and Best Short Film at Kendal Mountain Festival. It was also featured at the United Nations Swimmable Cities Summit in Rotterdam and is being integrated into the French national curriculum. Wunmi Mosaku, a BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee, has joined as an executive producer, further boosting the project's profile. White is now developing 'Swim Sistas' into a wider series exploring stories about women and water globally.
