Film Lens
Swim Team is a documentary about the Jersey Hammerheads swim team, which consists entirely of teenagers on the autism spectrum. Founded by Michael and Maria McQuay in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the team also has a significant Latino and Asian representation. The film focuses on three athletes, detailing their experiences both in and out of the water, while addressing their transitions to adulthood and the challenges faced by their parents in raising children with autism.
Directed by Lara Stolman, Swim Team is her feature debut. The filming took place from January to June 2014, with additional follow-ups over the next year. The film premiered at the 2016 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and was later released in theaters in the United States on July 7, 2017. It aired on PBS' POV on October 2, 2017, and became available for streaming on Netflix on April 2, 2018.
Why Watch
- •Meet the Jersey Hammerheads swim team in New Jersey.
- •Follow three teens on the autism spectrum in their swim practices.
- •See the impact of parent volunteers on the team’s success.
Did You Know
•Swim Team premiered on October 9, 2016, at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
•The film was released theatrically on July 7, 2017, at IFC Center in New York.
•Filming occurred over a span of six months from January to June 2014.
•Swim Team won the Jury Award for Best New Jersey Film at the 2016 Monmouth Film Festival.
Perfect For
Autism awarenessCompetitive swimmingDocumentary enthusiasts