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"A Swim Lesson" celebrates Bill Marsh, a swim teacher helping kids face fears and find their inner strength.

His lessons remind us all—no matter our age—that we’re stronger than we think

Co-directed by @RashidaJones, @willmccormack
Produced by @emilyarlook @coleemanuele
@latimesdocs co-released with @povshorts and documentaryplus

My sober birthday is my favorite day of the year. Sure I have problems, but I have problems within the context that my life is a miracle. And today,More than any other day of the year,I am acutely aware of that miracle. I’ve been so lucky in my life. To be a father, a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle and a friend – these are life‘s richest gifts - andI get to be all of those things today - because I’m sober. Today Im bursting with gratitude. If you want to stop drinking you can and if you want to go to a meeting, I will take you. You can tell me your secrets and I will tell you mine. Thank you to all my friends and family who loved me and supported me. Life is a miracle and I don’t take it for granted.

My sober birthday is my favorite day of the year. Sure I have problems, but I have problems within the context that my life is a miracle. And today,More than any other day of the year,I am acutely aware of that miracle. I’ve been so lucky in my life. To be a father, a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle and a friend – these are life‘s richest gifts - andI get to be all of those things today - because I’m sober. Today Im bursting with gratitude. If you want to stop drinking you can and if you want to go to a meeting, I will take you. You can tell me your secrets and I will tell you mine. Thank you to all my friends and family who loved me and supported me. Life is a miracle and I don’t take it for granted.

My sober birthday is my favorite day of the year. Sure I have problems, but I have problems within the context that my life is a miracle. And today,More than any other day of the year,I am acutely aware of that miracle. I’ve been so lucky in my life. To be a father, a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle and a friend – these are life‘s richest gifts - andI get to be all of those things today - because I’m sober. Today Im bursting with gratitude. If you want to stop drinking you can and if you want to go to a meeting, I will take you. You can tell me your secrets and I will tell you mine. Thank you to all my friends and family who loved me and supported me. Life is a miracle and I don’t take it for granted.

This awards season we are taking a look back at
‘A Swim Lesson’ shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards (2025) for Best Documentary Short Film.

🎥 Directed by @rashidajones & @willmccormack

This family-friendly 20 min film captures the joy and struggles of learning to swim, sharing profound life lessons for all ages. A must watch

Available to stream now on @documentaryplus

Thrilled to premiere @allheart_film at this years @sunvalleyfilmfest !

@allheart_film coming soon ❄️ ♥️

Our film All Heart is coming soon. So excited to share this film that @drgovier and I made with the best team.

👀 cannot wait to show you this. Shooting in LA too! Grateful.

👀 cannot wait to show you this. Shooting in LA too! Grateful.

“A Swim Lesson” Q&A - Amy Poehler interviews Directors Rashida Jones & Will McCormack and Swim Instructor Bill Marsh | “The definition of heartbreak is letting go”

Link to full Q&A in bio!

“A Swim Lesson” Q&A - Amy Poehler interviews Directors Rashida Jones & Will McCormack and Swim Instructor Bill Marsh | “Describe the film”

Link to full Q&A in bio!

An absolute honor to have been shortlisted amongst 15 short documentaries for an Academy Award.

Link to watch “A Swim Lesson” in bio.

An absolute honor to have been shortlisted amongst 15 short documentaries for an Academy Award.

Link to watch “A Swim Lesson” in bio.

Thrilled to write this film with @rashidajones and @drgovier