ShAFF: Wild Swim & Water Films 1 12A

For wild swimmers and water babies, the first of two sessions showing the best new water-based adventure films from around the world.

1. Now I Feel Alive 4 minutes

   'Now I Feel Alive' is a short documentary film depicting Kathleen Wotton's journey from being bed-bound, depressed and morbidly obese, to finding the spirit of life once again in creativity and nature. Kathleen takes you with her as she lets you into her worst moments; how it felt as she battled illness upon illness, believing that her life would soon be over. You then journey from those darkest moments, into the bright light that creativity, the sea, and community have helped Kathleen to discover. Kathleen’s is a journey of true inspiration and one that will leave you in awe of her strength, and give you the confidence to take your life into your own hands, and never let your circumstances define you. Today, Kathleen has thousands of people, through social media, supporting her as her journey continues. She has lost more than 25 stone, a figure that’s constantly growing. She has also begun volunteering as an inspirational speaker, hoping to help those who may still be in their darkest moments. In Kathleen's own words “if you’re feeling you’re at your lowest moment, it can’t get any lower, it can only grow…”

2. Atmen (Breathe) 9 minutes

   A journey of embracing the cold and the harshness of winter’s untamed nature, discovering vitality and a profound sense of life through the raw, unfiltered connection with the elements.

3. Under the Surface 25 minutes

   A film that explores acceptance after injury, masculinity and mental health, and what it means to be vulnerable as a man in the outdoor endurance swimming world. We go back to the time before Jim found swimming, where he broke his back in a work-related accident. We are taken through Jim’s experiences with addiction to pain medication, his loss of his long-term relationship, and through the reality of recovering from an injury. Jim finds solace and rehabilitation in endurance swimming, learning to walk again through his swimming, and starting to build a new career as a swim coach in the process. Content warning: this film discusses the topic of suicide.

4. Unsinkable 52 minutes

   The story of Alan Corcoran’s unprecedented 500-kilometre sea swim for charity has all the hallmarks of a fascinating documentary. With the stunning backdrop of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s wild coastline, the story tells the succession of challenges faced during such a monumental undertaking. Raising €30,000 for cancer and stroke charities in memory of his dad, it’s a film that explores a person’s journey through grief, using the swimming project to channel negative emotions into a meaningful, hopeful, inspiring adventure. 'Gritty' - Irish Examiner 'Alan embodies the adventure, joy and challenge of outdoor swimming' - The Outdoor Swimming Society 'Alan turns grief into greatness through his epic swim' - SwimSwam Magazine 'As Irish adventures go, this has got to be one of the most extraordinary and difficult to date' - Sean Conway (author and adventurer) 'Alan's length of Ireland sea swim epitomises the spirit of outdoor swimming. Unsinkable is an inspiring tale of family, adventure, triumph and hope' - Outdoor Swimmer Magazine 'Unsinkable is a sincere and emotional story of resilience and determination...extremely positive and kind viewing experience...very enjoyable to watch unfold' 8/10 Stars - Film Carnage (Review) 'It's hard not to root for Unsinkable's charming subject' 4/5 Stars - Irish Film Critic (Review) 'Unsinkable is a tale of glory and achievement borne from loss and pain' - Swimming World Magazine