• February 28, 2019
  • Women Crush Wednesdays

Lara Stolman's interview on New York Women in Film's Women Crush Wednesday

Women Crush Wednesdays is presented by New York Women in Film and Television and posted every last Wednesday of the month . . . .

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  • September 29, 2017
  • Boston Globe

A rousing tale of autism, parenting, and swimming

The film is populated by amazing people. That's the pleasure of watching it, to me. You see humanity, in a lot of ways, at its very best.

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  • September 1, 2017
  • The New York Times

Led by a Vietnam War Opus, a Rich Season of Documentaries

. . . Inclusion and independence are also themes of Lara Stolman's "Swim Team," a film scheduled for Oct. 2 on "POV" that follows three members of the Hammerheads, a swim team in New Jersey for autistic athletes . . .

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  • July 20, 2017
  • Los Angeles Times

Young athletes and parents in 'Swim Team' form a spirited community in the face of autism

The breaststroking, freestyling young athletes in "Swim Team" couldn't be more different in terms of personality, drive, appeal and, of course, developmental challenges, and it gives this film from Lara Stolman its particular character, heart and verve.

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  • July 7, 2017
  • LA Weekly

Review: Swim Team

It's a portrait of heartbreak, frustration and triumph.

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  • July 7, 2017
  • Roger Ebert

Review: 'Swim Team'

. . . a film that's both eye-opening and heart-opening . . .

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  • July 6, 2017
  • The New York Times

Review: In 'Swim Team,' Autism Is No Barrier to Competition

. . . at its most effective, "Swim Team" treats its subjects as would any sports movie attuned to character and drama . . .

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  • July 6, 2017
  • NPR

Parents And Athletes Venture Out And Connect In 'Swim Team'

. . . Lara Stolman's Swim Team is long enough to break and warm your heart in equal measure . . .

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  • Parents

This Film About an All-Autistic Swim Team Is Worth Diving Into

Mark your calendars and be sure to watch this excellent documentary about a swim team whose members are all on the autism spectrum . . .

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  • July 7, 2017
  • Edge Media Network

Review: 'Swim Team'

Technically as well as emotionally, this is a film that hooks you . . .

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  • July 5, 2017
  • Common Sense Media

Review: 'Swim Team'

Great for families . . .

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  • June 30, 2017
  • Sports Illustrated Kids

New Documentary Follows Team of Autistic Swimmers

Swim Team is a documentary about a group of children who ultimately defy all odds. They are the ones who society has said don't belong and will never achieve their biggest dreams.

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  • June 30, 2017
  • AP News

'Swim Team' for autistic kids makes splash in documentary

Every dive into the pool is a victory for Michael McQuay. They all boldly defy the grim prognosis that doctors delivered to McQuay's parents nearly 15 years ago. Autism would prevent McQuay from ever walking, they said. He would never talk or be able to perform the most basic of tasks.

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  • April 13, 2017
  • POV's Documentary Blog

Swim Team to air on PBS' award-winning nonfiction showcase POV

Our country — and world — is divided, or so say the talking heads and headlines. As newsfeeds and timelines update in rapid-fire succession and phones buzz with ever-constant breaking news, POV's 30th season . . .

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  • March 2017
  • Columbia College Today

Alumnae Duo's Film Spotlights Autistic Athletes

Produced and directed by Lara Stolman '91 with co-producer Shanna Belott '91, Swim Team, which premiered last October on the film festival circuit . . .

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  • March 2017
  • New York Post

This autistic swim team proved everyone wrong

When Mike McQuay Jr., an 18-year-old with autism, was growing up, the place he felt most safe and calm was in his parents' backyard pool. . . .

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  • February 22, 2017
  • IndieWire

'Swim Team' debuts in the UK at the Glasgow Film Festival's special inclusive screening.

Scotland's oldest independent cinema was honoured with the award . . .

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  • December 6, 2016
  • IndieWire

'Swim Team' is One of the Top 10 Undistributed Films of 2016

This was a year of marvelous, important performances by women . . . .

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  • December 14, 2016
  • MyCentralJersey.com

Middlesex County's Hammerheads featured in 'Swim Team'

The award-winning documentary, "Swim Team," about the Special Olympics-honored, Middlesex County-based Jersey Hammerheads, screens Dec. 17 at the Monmouth Film Festival in Red Bank . . . .

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  • November 26, 2016
  • Hollywood Reporter

'Swim Team': Film Review | Napa Valley 2016 | Instructive and inspiring

Documentarian Lara Stolman follows a trio of autistic athletes as they learn to compete and reach for independent adulthood . . . .

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  • November 19, 2016
  • Swim Swam

Itching for Another Documentary about Swimming? "Swim Team" is Here.

Following the monstrous success of recent swimming-related documentaries like Touch the Wall and The Last Gold, many swimmers, coaches, and teams are hungry for the next inspiring, heart-wrenching film to come along and make them laugh, cry, and shout "KICK!" at the screen. . . . .

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  • November 18, 2016
  • Reel News Daily

DOC NYC Review: 'SWIM TEAM' challenges our idea of winners and losers

SWIM TEAM was selected for the Independent Filmmaker Project's Project Forum in 2015 and in 2016 was selected to participate in the IFP Documentary Completion Lab . . . .

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  • November 17, 2016
  • Eye For Film

Making a splash

Lara Stolman on Swim Team and getting to know the Jersey Hammerheads . . . .

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  • November 12, 2016
  • Women and Hollywood

DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Lara Stolman -- "Swim Team"

Lara Stolman has produced news and documentaries that have aired on NBC, MSNBC, TLC, AMC, VH-1, and The New York Times' website. . . .

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  • November 7, 2016
  • Indiewire

Watch: Exclusive Clip from 'Swim Team' Shows How Sports Transcends Disability

In a world that constantly relegates them to the sidelines, three teenage swimmers dare to take center stage to prove how sports can transcend disability. . . .

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  • October 23, 2016
  • Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

"Swim Team" wins Best Sports Documentary at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

We are happy to announce the winners of the 25th Anniversary Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival . . .

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  • October 4, 2016
  • Easterseals

"Swim Team" Joins Forces With Easterseals To Promote Inclusion For Families With Disabilities In Communities Nationwide

Easterseals, the country's indispensable resource for people facing today's disabilities, and the filmmakers behind the forthcoming documentary film SWIM TEAM, announced today . . .

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  • August 22, 2016
  • Huffington Post

Documentaries Make An Impact Through Artistry As Much As Advocacy

"What's your call to action?" This was one of the first questions asked of us when it was announced that our film Swim Team was chosen for this year's IFP Documentary Completion Lab.

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  • May 9, 2016
  • Independent Filmmaker Project

"Swim Team" selected for IFP Documentary Completion Lab.

The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) announced today the ten documentaries selected for the 2016 IFP Filmmaker Labs, IFP's annual yearlong fellowship for first-time feature directors.

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  • February 28, 2016
  • Huffington Post

The Best Place for Community is the One You Grew Up With

By Shanna Belott

When companies engage in a rebranding effort, sometimes it's all just sound and fury signifying nothing. But once in awhile, rebranding campaigns carry the weight of authenticity and make ...

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  • November 17, 2015
  • Huffington Post

The Shopping Cart Shuffle: Our Schools Couldn't Care Less about the Potential of Kids with Autism

By Lara Stolman

I am moved to tears when I hear 16-year-old Vincent play the piano. On top of precise technique, his rendition of the second movement of Beethoven's "Emperor" concerto is achingly beautiful...

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  • July 28, 2015
  • Huffington Post

The #1 Way Schools Are Failing Our Kids Will Surprise You

By Shanna Belott and Lara Stolman

This isn't a story about bullying, but let's start there, with a recent incident at an 8-year-old's birthday party...

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  • April 16, 2015
  • The New York Times

"Swim Team" Featured in The New York Times

"Swim Team" Director Lara Stolman created this profile of Robert, one of the film's main characters, for The New York Times' web site.

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  • April 16, 2015
  • Autism Speaks

"Swim Team" Featured by Autism Speaks

The film follows Coach Mike and his team as they train for the Special Olympics and the national USA Special Olympics games. However, the film also captures the uncertainty of the transition age for these young adults, and what options will be available to them once school ends.

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  • March 13, 2015
  • TAPintoEdison

"Swim Team" Featured in TAPintoEdison

Filmed on location over the course of a year in Edison, Perth Amboy and other towns in Middlesex County, NJ, "Swim Team" is a feature length documentary film chronicling the debut season of the Jersey Hammerheads, a competitive "Swim Team" made up of children and teens on the autism spectrum.

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  • February 23, 2015
  • Indiewire

"Swim Team" Awarded Project of the Month by Indiewire

"Swim Team" garnered the most votes for the February Project of the Month. The prize is a creative consultation from our Project of the Month partner, Tribeca Film Institute.

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  • February 23, 2015
  • Indiewire

"Swim Team" Cinematographer Laela Kilbourn Featured in Indiewire

In a field where females are shockingly underrepresented, these talented DPs stand out.

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  • February 18, 2015
  • Huffington Post

"Swim Team" Director Lara Stolman Writes for The Huffington Post about the Importance of Inclusion in Youth Sports

It's a benefit for kids who are typical and those with disabilities - so why isn't it happening?

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  • February 11, 2015
  • Indiewire

"Swim Team" Featured as Project of the Day

"Swim Team" chronicles the overwhelming struggles and extraordinary triumphs of three young competitive swimmers with autism and their swim team that brings hope to a community. It's a film about how sports transcends disability and not giving up on your kid.

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