Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s Short Doc ‘A Swim Lesson’ Part of ‘POV Shorts’ Season 7 Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)

As a lifelong cinema enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in documentaries, I can confidently say that the upcoming seventh season of “POV Shorts” is shaping up to be an extraordinary showcase of storytelling and emotional depth. The inclusion of Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s “A Swim Lesson” is particularly exciting, as it highlights the inspiring journey of swim coach Bill Marsh and his impact on children’s lives.


The upcoming seventh season of “POV Shorts” will feature the documentary “A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. This 20-minute film, which had its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, focuses on swim coach Bill Marsh as he guides children through overcoming their fears and instilling a sense of confidence and safety in them.

On November 26th, “POV Shorts” will collaborate with LA Times Studios and Documentary+ to release “A Swim Lesson.” This marks the initial instance in its first year where it will jointly distribute a documentary with LA Times Studios and Documentary+.

Jones remarks that watching a child learn to swim, much like appreciating a grand opera, is a sight to behold. In this instance, Bill Marsh, the inspiring swimming coach, conducts this emotional symphony. His commitment to these young swimmers serves as a powerful allegory, revealing profound universal truths for everyone involved.

As a film enthusiast, I couldn’t agree more with Opah H. Bennett, the co-producer of “POV,” when she says that teaming up with LA Times Studios and Documentary+ to co-release both “A Swim Lesson” and this season’s “American Seams” was an obvious choice. It just made perfect sense!

Bennett, who oversees ‘POV Shorts’ seasons, notes it’s beneficial to work together and grow possibilities rather than diminish them, especially considering the already difficult nature of the space,” is a possible paraphrase in natural and easy-to-read language.

I’m currently catching “A Swim Lesson” at the Hamptons International Film Festival, a film that’s now in contention for an Oscar nomination. As a movie enthusiast, it’s always thrilling to witness such promising films on the big screen!

7 seasons of “POV Shorts” consist of 11 individual films. Starting Nov 12, five of these films will air on PBS and can also be streamed online via POV.org and the PBS Video app. The rest of the titles will either premiere on Nov 26 or in 2025. One title, “a film is a goodbye that never ends,” premiered in July 2024 and is currently available for streaming on the PBS app.

Since 2018, “POV Shorts” has provided a venue for filmmakers to share stories that address current, significant topics and cultural tales. Not only does it commission short documentaries each year, but it also purchases films from various festivals such as Sundance, South by Southwest, and Tribeca.

According to Bennett, what really matters for “POV Shorts” and our selection process is artists who aim to make a significant difference. In addition to displaying robust filmmaking techniques and innovative ideas, we strive to collaborate with filmmakers in both connecting with and affecting the viewers.

Contrary to its challenging nature when it comes to sales and attracting viewers, the ‘POV Shorts’ category experienced a 22% surge in submissions between the years 2023 and 2024.

Season seven will commence with “Shirampari: Legacies of the River” by Lucía Flórez and “Boat People” by Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma. These documentaries focus on families as they navigate through traditions, memories, and transitions in life’s different stages.

Some standout moments in the season are “Golden Moon” by Aisha Sultanbekova, which follows the story of a young medical student who takes on truck driving jobs to cover her tuition costs; “Over the Wall” by Krystal Tingle, which focuses on NASCAR’s first Black woman pit crew member; and “Until He’s Back” by Jacqueline Baylon, which centers around a father’s quest to return his son’s remains from Morocco so he can bid farewell.

For the past six years, “POV Shorts” has been honored with one Academy Award nomination, specifically for Marshall Curry’s work titled “A Night at the Garden.

POV Shorts, with 76 different stories, teams up with big players like Field of Vision in the world of digital short video distribution.)

The complete “POV Shorts” Season Seven Lineup:

Nov. 12:

“Shirampari: Legacies of the River” – Director: Lucía Flórez

“Boat People” – Directors: Thao Lam, Kjell Boersma

“Jardines” – Director: Alfredo Torres

“Golden Moon” – Director: Aisha Sultanbekova

“Over the Wall” – Director: Krystal Tingle

Nov. 26:

“American Seams” – Director/Producer: Carly Jakins

“Thời Thơ Ấu (Childhood)” – Director: Vi Tuong Bui

“A Swim Lesson”  – Directors: Rashida Jones, Will McCormack

“Until He’s Back” – Director: Jaqueline Baylon

Currently available to stream at POV.org and on the PBSApp

“a film is a goodbye that never ends” – Director: María Luísa Santos

An additional title to be released in 2025 and will be announced later in the season.

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2024-10-08 18:17