Danielle Sellwood

Latest film: Untethered
Sky Sports New Focus Fund
 

Melanie Barratt, a gold-medal winning Paralympian, swims tethered to an elastic bungee in a small pool on her own. But, after 20 years of fitting personal goals around motherhood, new ambitions are burning - she’s desperate to try open-water swimming. Being blind, the only way to do this is to ask for help, but asking for help is a complex and often controversial issue for disabled people. Melanie has always hidden her disability because of social stigma and internalised ableism, but the lure of new adventures is greater than the shame she feels. What happens next surpasses all expectations as she not only finds community, but also an increasing pride in her identity as a disabled woman. With the support of her ‘Ironfish’ friends, she not only learns to swim in open water but enters the record books by becoming the first blind woman to swim the English Channel.

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Accessibility

 

This film has been created with accessibility as a priority. Audio description has been crafted to combine with narration for all to experience, creative open captions are embedded, and British Sign Language is on screen. There is also a touch tour available at selected screenings. 

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Streaming / screenings

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Sky Sports - November/December 2024

Sky Docs - November/December 2024

Sky Sports Plus - November/December 2024

Kendal Mountain Festival - November 2024

Sheffield Adventure Festival - March 2025