Thank you lovely Red team!

Our film about love and connection to rivers was made with a lot of love and... (being an indie film)... sweat and tears! It's hard in this climate to make passion projects and with support from the lovely people at RED Equipment we had more capacity to spread the word.

We received sponsorship and some gorgeous kit to give away to competition winners which helped us to raise the profile of our screenings around the country. Here I am with Co-Producer Aggie taking time away from our busy filmmaker lives to model some of the donated kit- don't worry, we won't quit our day jobs!

RED Equipment is a fantastic brand from Devon that specialises in watersports gear and known for its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Thank you so much to Rachel and the lovely team at RED, you are helping us to build a movement of joy, passion and creativity that changes the narrative on our connection to our previous rivers.

Rave on for the Avon an independent wild swimming documentary that’s explores a community’s fight to save their bathing spot in unique, daring & distinctly Bristol ways. 💙✨🪩🎬🏞️🍿🦦 

The lucky winners of the bags and robes wanted to pass their appreciation on too! Lois came to our London screening at  Greenwich Picturehouse where London swimmers and campaigners shared their experiences and concerns swimming in London.

Lois shared her reflections on the film;

Coming from Scotland, I’ve grown up with wild swimming always being a part of my family holidays. After moving to England it became clear that the available spaces for swimming outdoors are far reduced here.

I liked the individual stories from the people in the film. And it was inspiring to see these people moved to action over something they care so much about.

Stories like those featured in Rave On for the Avon show us people’s intimate relationships to nature. Especially touching to see was the story of the man who swims most days to help with his depression. These stories are important because they help us understand how wild swimming shapes people’s lives, and how access to clean swimming water strengthens our human relationship to nature. I believe wild swimming should be a protected right for the people.

Another of our competition winners Chris came to my hometown screening in Liverpool at the FACT Picturehouse. It was an absolute joy to share in people's love of the Mersey River.

Chris won a RED backpack and wanted to share his reflections on the film

As a keen paddleboarder, swimmer, and surfer I have experienced the results of untreated sewage out flows and we must pressure out Government, Councils and water companies to pursue what is good for people and planet before the profit!

Rave on for the Avon is a wonderful film; stories of community, connection, and purpose, interwoven with highlighting the plight of our waterways and coastline.

I loved hearing the stories of how healing the water is for so many, as well as bringing people together from all walks of life.

A big thanks from Chris for a lovely Red backpack!