Film explores black women's connection to swimming

Northampton filmmaker Cat White says Swim Sistas is about freedom, healing and visibility

A documentary described as a "visually rich love letter to water" explores the connection between black women and swimming.

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

The documentary also responds to a Swim England statistic that says about only 5% of black adults in the United Kingdom regularly swim.

Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing, who features within the documentary, said: "To have told my story alongside three other beautiful black women was an opportunity which I will cherish."

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.

Dearing, the first black woman to represent Team GB in swimming at an Olympic Games, said it was an "honour" to be a part of the film.

She said: "Catherine [White] is such an incredible storyteller and her passion for swimming has led to the most beautiful and impactful projects."

From left to right, Roni Bruno, Lexi Sandiford, Jasmine Boatswain and Alice Dearing feature in Swim Sistas

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

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

White says she is developing the film into a mini anthology series that 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 was a finalist in season three of Warner Bros Discovery's Black Britain Unspoken talent development programme and was previewed in Rotterdam.

White said the film was all about freedom, healing and visibility.

"Especially off the back of the Lionesses' win, it feels more important than ever to be championing women and girls in sports," she said.