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

3 hours ago 1

The seventh season of “POV Shorts” will include Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s “A Swim Lesson.” About swim coach Bill Marsh, the 20-minute doc, which recently debuted at the Telluride Film Festival, follows Marsh as he helps children manage their fears and instills confidence and safety in their lives

“POV Shorts” will co-release “A Swim Lesson” with LA Times Studios and Documentary+ on Nov. 26. It makes the first year that the strand will co-release a doc with LA Times Studios and Documentary+.

“Seeing a child learn how to swim is like witnessing a great opera and in this case, the maestro of this emotional orchestra is the inspiring swim instructor Bill Marsh,” says Jones. “His dedication to these children is the parable we need, as these lessons uncover profound universal truths for all involved.”

According to “POV” co-producer Opah H. Bennett, co-releasing “A Swim Lesson” as well as this season’s “American Seams” with the LA Times Studios and Documentary+ was a no-brainer.

“It’s a good thing to be able to collaborate and to expand an opportunity as opposed to shrink one in a space that’s already so challenging,” says Bennett, who is responsible for curating each season of “POV Shorts.”

“A Swim Lesson” is currently screening at the Hamptons Intl. Film Festvial and has been qualified for Oscar consideration.

In total 11 short docs make up the seventh season of “POV Shorts.” Five films will be available on PBS and will stream on POV.org and the PBS Video app. beginning Nov. 12. The remaining titles will premiere on Nov. 26 or in 2025. (One title – “a film is a goodbye that never ends” – debuted in July 2024 and is currently streaming on the PBS app.)

Launched in 2018, “POV Shorts” has served as a platform for filmmakers to tell stories focused on relevant contemporary issues and cultural narratives. In addition to commissioning short docs, every year Bennett acquires films from various festivals, including Sundance, South by Southwest, and Tribeca.

“What’s important for “POV Shorts” and our curation are artists who want to make an impact,” says Bennett. “Apart from showcasing strong filmmaking and creative approaches, we are always wanting to be in partnership with filmmakers in reaching and impacting audience.”

Despite being a hard medium to sell and find viewership for, “POV Shorts” saw a 22% increase in submissions from the 2023 to 2024 season.

Season seven will kick off with Lucía Flórez’s “Shirampari: Legacies of the River” and Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s “Boat People.” Both docus spotlight families as they traverse tradition and memory while marking new phases of life.

Other season highlights include Aisha Sultanbekova’s “Golden Moon” about a young medical student who drives big rigs to cover her tuition fees; Krystal Tingle’s “Over the Wall, about NASCAR’s first Black woman pit crew member; and Jacqueline Baylon’s “Until He’s Back” about a father who must find a way to get his son’s remains back home to Morocco so he can say goodbye.

In the last six years “POV Shorts” has received one Oscar nomination for Marshall Curry’s “A Night at the Garden.”

“POV Shorts,” which has 76 titles in its catalog, works with major short-form digital distributors such as Field of Vision.

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