Rave On For The Avon
A feature-length documentary film that follows a local community’s fight to save their bathing spot in unique, daring & distinctly Bristolian ways.
FUTURE
SCREENINGS
We are finishing up a preview run of the film and are working hard to secure distribution for the film nationally. Sign up to our email list or follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop.
Read about our joyful sold-out Premiere screening at PYTCH where 300 river-lovers gathered to share in this story.
THE CAMPAIGN
In a densely residential part of East Bristol runs a serene section of the River Avon which attracts crowds of swimmers in the summer and a regular rotation of cold-water swimmers in winter.
It offers solace and healing for those struggling with mental health issues and a free outdoor activity for local lower-income families.
Three local swimmers (Becca, Em and Eva) formed the Conham Bathing Group, a citizen-led water testing programme to help raise awareness of the poor water quality in the Avon.
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The Conham Bathing Group are applying for Designated Bathing Water Status (DBWS). Officially designated Bathing Waters are the only blue spaces where water quality is regularly monitored for its effect on human health, and legal obligations are put on polluting industries to clean up their act. In the UK there are currently only 3 stretches of river, all of which have been won through local campaigns.
Rave On For The Avon will be screened throughout the UK, inviting viewers to seek out swimming spots in their local area and fight to protect them. The situation is dire but there is hope and community to be found in protecting rivers.
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We are collaborating with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and Rivers Trust to point people to a growing movement of activism which seeks to attain 200 designated bathing waters by 2030. For more infomation please visit SAS's Protecting Wild Waters Campaign.
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There is an ecological emergency in English rivers.
The human and wildlife population are at risk.
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Today, in England, only 14% of rivers are in good
ecological health & none are in good chemical health.
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In 2021, the environmental performance of the UK’s
water & sewage companies fell to the lowest level
on record, with little improvement since.
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But the Bristol Council prohibits swimming in the river, and it’s often filled with dangerous levels of raw sewage, chemical pollution and farm run-off.
This leaves everyone with a dilemma; for all the benefits the river gives them, it could potentially cause them even greater harm
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This film features a tapestry of people who love and fight for this river, illustrating how much there is to loose if the Avon continues to face unending pollution.
This film will deliver a sense of urgency to the Bristol Council about the critical state of the River Avon and how much locals rely on it for health and wellbeing. It is a Bristol community account that will galvanise audiences to campaign for policy change in the UK and Internationally.
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IN THE NEWS
Lou Boyd
The Red Bulletin Magazine
Red Bull was excited to feature our campaign in their winter 23/24 magazine, celebrating how a community came together with energy and positivity over river health.
Our film is featured in a beautiful two page spread in Bristol 24/7's Spring magazine.
We are collaborating with Bristol 24/7 to try to change local policy and encourage more swimmers in Bristol to enjoy this wonderful patch of river.
Betty Woolverton
Bristol 247
The Today Programme Radio 4
Justin Webb spoke to Director of Rave On For The Avon Charlotte Sawyer and Founder of The Conham Bathers Becca Blease on BBC Radio Four's The Today Programme which is spending the year following the Bristol Avon.
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American Surf Magazine
“A crucial story for such a time as this. This film makes me want to jump in the river along with the Bristoleans who love it!"
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Mark Sawyer-Chu
Kendal Mountain Festival
"A sensually produced film that will truly immerse you; sink in to the stories, get deep into the issues, and rise out raving."
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Claire Carter, Artistic Director Kendal Mountain Festival
Tonic of the Sea
“Such a hugely necessary and inspiring film - made at a time of grave concern for our UK waterways and the health of the wildlife and people that use them”
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Katie Maggs
PREVIEW SCREENINGS
Bristol Premiere at PYTCH // Sat 23rd March
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BBC Natural History Unit Preview at Bridgewater House // Thurs 18th April
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Special Preview at Bristol Aquarium // Thurs 25th April
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Special Preview at Curzon Clevedon // Sat 4th May
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Community Screening Mousehole, Cornwall // Friday 10th May
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Preview Screening at The UK River Summit // Tue 21st May
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Community Screening Oxford University // Tue 28th May
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Community Screening Alhambra Cinema, Keswick // Wed 5th June
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Special Preview and
Thriving Avon Charter Launch at The Tobacco Factory // Sat 15th June