(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents the award-winning film SWIM TEAM, the inspiring story of three team-mates who are on the Autism spectrum, on Sunday, August 27th at 3:00pm. This screening is free to the public, however donations will be accepted, as this is a fundraiser for Autism NJ and the Sussex County YMCA.
SWIM TEAM chronicles the overwhelming struggles and extraordinary triumphs of three young athletes with autism and shows how a swim team can bring hope to a community.
In New Jersey, the parents of a boy on the autism spectrum take matters into their own hands. They form a competitive swim team, recruiting diverse teens on the spectrum and training them with high expectations and zero pity. The Jersey Hammerheads is the Special Olympics swimming team Michael McQuay founded with his wife, Maria, inspired by their son Mikey.
Mikey, one of the Hammerheads’ stars, is among the three principal subjects of SWIM TEAM a documentary by Lara Stolman. The others are Robbie, who says he aspires to be faster than Michael Phelps, and Kelvin, who has Tourette’s syndrome in addition to autism.
Made over the course of two years, the documentary follows the challenges they face, both personally and as a group. The movie also trails their parents, who raise their children — mostly teenagers — without a rule book, at times feeling isolated themselves, but finding camaraderie in one another.
SWIM TEAM chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, capturing a moving quest for inclusion, independence and a life that feels winning.
SWIM TEAM has won multiple awards including Best New Jersey Film (Monmouth Film Festival), Human Spirit Award (Nashville Film Festival), Best Documentary (Autfest International Film Festival), Best Documentary over 60 minutes (Picture This Film Festival), Audience Award (Lighthouse International Film Festival and Monmouth Film Festival), Winner - NJ Films (Montclair Film Festival), Best Feature Cinematography (Wales International Doc Fest), and more.
For additional information visit www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700.
The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ, was founded in 1924. Revitalized and fully renovated, Sussex County’s premier entertainment venue reopened in 2011 as a 605 seat capacity live performing arts center. With it’s rich history and diverse programming The Newton Theatre is essential to the buoyancy of New Jersey’s Skylands region.
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