Netflix Launches Docs on a Deaf DJ, Black People Tackling Fear of Swimming via U.K. Documentary Talent Fund

Georg Szalai
·2 min read

From a documentary about a deaf DJ created by a mostly deaf crew and a film exploring the fact that 87 percent of Black people in the U.K. can’t swim to a doc about sperm donors, Netflix has launched five short documentaries created by the recipients of funding and professional support in the second year of its Documentary Talent Fund in the U.K. and Ireland.

The filmmakers received 30,000 pounds ($38,000) to create a short film on the theme of “connection.” Their films were showcased at an event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel on Wednesday night and are now available via Netflix’s YouTube Channel “Still Watching.”

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The Netflix Documentary Talent Fund was created in 2020 “to break down barriers of access for emerging filmmakers,” the global streamer highlighted.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with such talented filmmakers and watch each team’s ideas blossom into fully formed documentaries,” said Kate Townsend, director, documentary film at Netflix. “We are immensely proud of the tenacity, grit and creativity demonstrated to get the films made and presented to this final standard of excellence. Each film is an exciting glimpse into the future talent of U.K. documentarians.”

Read more about the five new short docs below.

Black Stroke by Olivia Smart.
“Drowning isn’t an option as three people tackle their biggest fear,” according to a plot description. The film explores the surprising statistic that 87 percent of Black people in the U.K. can’t swim.

Turn Up the Bass by Caroline Williamson and Troi Lee.
The doc, “created by a mostly deaf crew,” tells the inspirational story of Troi Lee, a deaf DJ, founder of “deaf rave” and pioneer of the U.K.’s deaf music scene. “Troi and his team of deaf producers, DJs, MCs, sign singers and dancers will turn up the bass as they celebrate 20 years of deaf raving,” Netflix’s description says.

Two Mothers by Anna Rodgers and Zlata Filipovic.
“An unusual bond compels an Irish mother to travel to war-torn Ukraine in order to bring her former surrogate and her family to safety,” this doc’s summary says.

Iranian Yellow Pages by Anna Snowball and Abolfazl Talooni.
The short doc tells the story of Reza who is trying to make his new life in London a success and places an ad in an “eccentric” newspaper only to discover “the Iranian community hidden in plain sight.”

Sperm Donors Wanted! by Logan Rea and Krishna Istha.
The doc follows a transgender performance artist as he interviews hundreds of potential sperm donors live on stage in a quest to find the ultimate connection that will enable him and his partner to start a family.

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