Perth Voice Interactive

A DOCUMENTARY that debuted at Vincent council’s annual short film festival has been selected as the sole Aussie entry in a World Health Organisation film festival.

Radheya Jegatheva’s film Pacing the Pool is about long-time Beatty Park Leisure Centre swimmer Richard Pace’s journey in overcoming a lifelong illness.

It was fundedd through the City of Vincent Film Project in 2021 and made its debut during the Revelation International Film Festival at Luna Leederville.

“Part of what makes this film so special to me is that I got to befriend and spend time with Richard as part of the process… swimming with him in the pool in the early morning to help get a sense of what his daily routine is like,” Jegatheva said.

“It’s an interesting process to read about someone in a book, then meet that person and get to know them in real life, and then to make a film about them.

“I think one of the best memories was the pool shoot at night, as we had the whole swimming pool to ourselves, and made for some special shots while reflecting what swimming does for Richard, with focus and tranquillity.”

Since its premiere at Luna Cinemas in 2021, Pacing the Pool has achieved 178 official selections in film festivals across 39 countries, 41 awards and one Academy Award qualifying official selection.

One of its key awards included Best Documentary at the BFI Future Film Festival, supported by Netflix.

This week, the film screens at the World Health Organisation’s Health For All Film Festival in the Netherlands.

“We’re thrilled that this local story is connecting with people on a global scale,” Jegatheva said.

“We’re very appreciative to have had our work recognised like this by such a huge agency with this particular focus.

“It’s important to recognise that it wouldn’t have been as successful without our amazing subject Richard Pace, his family, and our incredible crew that I had the pleasure of working with.”

The latest round of the City of Vincent Film Project has just opened, offering funding to three local filmmakers for a non-fiction short using stories from their community.

Revelation

Mayor Alison Xamon said the collaboration with the Revelation Film Festival was providing up-and-coming filmmakers with a stepping stone into the industry.

“We are incredibly lucky to have countless stories and legends in Vincent that are waiting to be told through the big screen.I encourage local talents to apply for funding to turn their dream short films into reality.”

Applications are at vincent.wa.gov.au/filmproject and must be in before November 11.