Event Type : Cinema

The Evie Dove Foundation is delighted to have this incredible, emotional and inspiring mini film festival dedicated to raising funds towards their vital work helping sick children and saving young lives by sponsoring the education and training of talented and passionate paediatric clinical professionals.

The afternoon features 4 beautiful short films all about the benefits and healing impacts of outdoor and open water swimming, 2 of which recently aired and were stand out hits at the last Kendal Mountain Festival.

We start with three stunning very short films that pack a punch in terms of their story, cinematography and emotion. All have brought audiences to their feet at previous screenings.

A Good Place to Be is a unique short film exploring the health benefits of cold water swimming through the experience of Pauline Latchem. A film by Reuben Worlledge, which is stunningly shot and gives a glimpse into the world of Pauline who is deaf and talks about the uplifting, joyful experience of her relationship with the water in a totally silent world
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Beneath the Surface is a short documentary by Stewart Well’s showcasing the therapeutic power of lake swimming on mental fatigue, through the personal experience of Mike Fletcher. The cinematography of the film is truly outstanding, masterfully using natural light and beautiful location to capture the essence of the story. The film is a call to action for us all to take care of our mental health and to find our own paths to peace and wellness.

Turning the Tide, a film by Ted Simpson. “Black people can’t swim”…this is a statement that Julia Mansi, a 30 year old black woman, has believed for almost her entire life – until now. This is Julia Mansi, Turning The Tide. Set just along the coast in Brighton, a wonderful heartwarming film as we are taken on Julia’s journey to reach her goal of not only learning to swim as an adult, but breaking barriers and misconceptions.

Photo credit: Rachel Sarah

Following a raffle with some incredible and relevant prizes with a swim and outdoor theme, and a short interval to grab a drink we return for the main film and screening of Under The Surface, an impactful film about Jim Read and his journey from breaking his back and the depths of depression to recovery and swimming channels!

The film was generously dedicated to beautiful Evie Dove, forever 13 years old, who simply loved the sea and being in water. All proceeds from the event including ticket sales and the raffle go 100% to the foundation.

Under The Surface featured at the Kendal Mountain Festival, a 25 minute film by award winning environmental and outdoor filmmaker Rachel Sarah. Rachel specialises in adventure films and our relationships to the natural world. Under The Surface is the result of many years of following and documenting Jim’s story of triumph over tragedy from breaking his back and brain injury in a serious accident at work, left paralysed from the waist down and told to prepare for life in a wheelchair, he was just 27 years old.

With the support of family and friends, physio and hydrotherapy which led eventually to gentle swimming Jim managed to fight his way back. Learning to walk again and over time building on his love of the outdoors by moving from the pool to lakes and ultimately to the Ocean. The film covers his journey which culminates in an attempt to swim across the channel from Jersey to France in a relay team.

Jim’s challenge was not only a physical one but of serious mental health issues, with deep depression, addiction to prescription drugs and at his lowest points attempts to take his own life. Swimming and the friends he made in and around the water became his saviour. The highlight of the story is Jim himself, a cheeky, funny and completely vulnerable guy who really opens up about why our men must learn to talk about their mental health.  He is an inspiration and continues to do what he can to inspire others with screenings of the film, public speaking in schools and community settings.

At the end of the screening there will be a short Q&A panel with Jim and his two relay swim companions from the film, Simon Hagger (also a trustee of The Evie Dove Charity) and Stephen Gould (swim coach and ex professional swimmer).

All film makers have kindly given screening rights and assets free of charge for this charitable event. Thank you to Rachel, Reuben, Ted and Stewart.

To find out more about The Evie Dove Foundation please visit https://theeviedovefoundation.org/

Tickets £12

Doors 3.30pm

Main image provided by  Sam Walker.