Rave On For The Avon to UK cinema

Support “Rave On For The Avon” – Help Us Get This Powerful Documentary Into Cinemas Across the UK

Rave On For The Avon is not just a film; it’s a movement. Highlighting the pollution crisis facing the Bristol Avon and rivers across the UK, this documentary is different—it doesn’t just inform, it inspires. It showcases positive, creative campaigns by people who deeply cherish their local rivers and are taking action in ways that unite communities.

Film Still from Rave On For The Avon. Meg, a poet and artist marries the river.

From art to activism, the film shapes the narrative that swimming in rivers is a way of life, for people of all walks of life.

Film Still from Rave On For The Avon. Aggie swims through the year and tests the water for indicators of sewage.

We need your help to bring this film to cinemas, festivals, and beyond so it can continue to spark change on a larger scale. Our goal is to raise at least £2,000 to secure a cinema rating and cover key distribution costs. With your support, we can inspire thousands across the UK to unite in protecting our rivers.

A cinema rating will allow cinemas to programme the film so that community groups who wish to screen the film locally don't have to pay for a screening privately. They can request their local cinema to programme the film and let their network know with the publicity materials we will create.

Why “Rave On For The Avon” is Needed

The health of our rivers has reached a critical point, and we need grassroots action to protect these vital ecosystems. “Rave On For The Avon” is the catalyst for this action—showing that caring for rivers is not just for environmentalists, but for everyone. This is not just a documentary; it’s a tool to bring people together and spark meaningful change.

Screenings of “Rave On For The Avon” have already proven to be a catalyst for change. After a community screening organised by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), a local river campaign was launched to tackle pollution in the area. 

Kirsty Davies, Community Water Quality Manager for Surfers Against Sewage has organised two screenings with us.

"Rave On For The Avon is a brilliant and important film that demonstrates the power of community action. Our Protecting Wild Waters campaign supports communities applying for bathing water status. As part of this campaign, it was the perfect opportunity to hold a screening in Mousehole where a community is in the planning stages of applying for bathing water status. We were very lucky to share this inspirational, thoughtful, and impactful film which highlights how as a community we can end sewage pollution in our rivers, lakes and seas." 

By bringing people together in cinemas through screenings and Q&A sessions, we create a space where audiences can unite, share ideas, and take grassroots action. Real-world impact examples like this demonstrate the power of the film to inspire direct action. 

Our Film is Ready For Distribution!

We are thrilled to announce that “Rave On For The Avon” is ready to be distributed across the UK and beyond! Our film has already been met with enthusiastic responses at numerous preview screenings, from community events to high-profile industry showcases. 

Over one thousand people have seen the film so far, and that was just our little preview run!

Audiences are connecting with the film’s message of creative, community-driven action to protect our rivers, and we’re reaching people from all walks of life. We’ve had the honour of sharing the film at a wide range of venues and events in 2024, all of which have been met with overwhelming support:

Our sold-out Bristol premiere saw 300 people share in their love and concern for the Bristol Avon. Local campaign group Conham Bathing hosted a Q&A and a few months later hosted a screening with local councillors to create a local charter for the river.

You can read about our screenings in our latest newsletter update to our community.

What We Are Raising Money For

We are raising funds to bring “Rave On For The Avon” to cinemas across the UK, where it can inspire communities to take action to protect our rivers. Your support will help us achieve key milestones in our distribution journey:

Fundraising Target of £2,000: Securing a BBFC Cinema Rating

• £1,500 will cover the cost of obtaining a BBFC cinema rating for 31-60 venues. This rating is essential for getting the film screened in public cinemas and making it accessible to a wider audience.
• The remaining £500 will help fund submission fees to various film festivals, allowing us to showcase our film to influential audiences and industry professionals. 

If this is reached we will create a stretch target!

Stretch Target of £3,000: Creating Impactful Marketing Campaigns

• Achieving this milestone will enable us to allocate £1,000 towards the development of marketing campaigns aimed at attracting water lovers across the UK to the cinemas in partnership with local campaign groups. We want to ensure that our message reaches those who care about river conservation and community activism. This will include editing a trailer for cinemas.

Stretch Target of £4,000:

• In addition to theatrical distribution, we plan to produce a one-hour version of the documentary. This shorter format has been requested by NGOs, as it would be ideal for screenings in settings such as Parliament, schools, and community centres. With an additional £1,000, we can fund the necessary editing to create this shorter version, ensuring our message is impactful and accessible to diverse audiences. We would also release this 1 hour version on streaming platforms after a UK cinema run to share the film and inspire audiences internationally.

Why Your Support Matters

Your contributions will not only help us reach these financial goals but will also empower us to share this inspiring story with as many people as possible. By bringing “Rave On For The Avon” to cinemas and creating a shorter version for streaming, we can spark important conversations about river conservation and mobilise communities to take action.

Together, we can ensure that this vital message resonates across the UK, fostering a love for rivers and inspiring positive change. Join us in making this film a powerful catalyst for community activism and environmental protection!

The Team Behind the Film

Charlotte Sawyer – Documentary Film Director

Charlotte is a passionate filmmaker and community advocate based in Bristol, known for her commitment to storytelling that fosters connection and inspires action. With a background in Law and Community Theatre Studies, Charlotte has dedicated her career to exploring and documenting the deep relationships people have with their environment. Her work spans various methodologies, including Theatre of the Oppressed and Participatory Video, allowing her to amplify voices that are often unheard. Charlotte holds a recent 'Sustainability Merit' award from Wildscreen Festival 2024, a world-leading natural history festival.

Living next to the Bristol Avon, Charlotte was captivated by river conservation and the vibrant communities fighting for their local waterways. Throughout her year-and-a-half journey getting to know the incredible people in this film, Charlotte has navigated complex themes such as grief and resilience, crafting a narrative that celebrates the joy of wild swimming and the urgent need for environmental action.

“I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to bring people together,” Charlotte explains. “This film is more than just a documentary; it’s an invitation to dive into the beauty of our rivers and the creativity of those who love them. In a world where the news often feels overwhelming, Rave On For The Avon showcases the positivity and unity of our community.”

As director, Charlotte seamlessly blends immersive cinematography with intimate, observational filmmaking, allowing audiences to feel the emotional weight of each contributor's journey. Her goal is to present river advocacy not just as a campaign, but as a way of life that resonates with individuals from all walks of life.

 Charlotte is passionate that the film reaches diverse audiences, from film festivals to cinema screens across the UK. Her unique vision and unwavering commitment to storytelling seeks to ignite a movement that connects people with nature and each other.

Sonia Wargacka – Producer

Sonia Wargacka is a Bristol-based filmmaker and high-end TV production coordinator whose impressive credits include critically acclaimed series such as Sex Education, Wolf Hall, and His Dark Materials. She first encountered Rave On For The Avon during its Bristol premiere and was immediately moved by its powerful message and uniquely Bristolian energy.

After the screening, Sonia asked a key question during the Q&A: “What do you want us to do with this film? What’s next?” It was this thoughtful inquiry that began her journey as part of the Rave On For The Avon team. Her experience in television and film production, coupled with her passion for storytelling, has brought new life to the project as she helps guide the film’s festival and distribution strategy.

“This film made me cry, laugh, think, and celebrate the city I’ve called home for nearly a decade. In a world surrounded by crises, it gave me hope and reminded me of the great everyday people who are fighting for our right to nature in the most creative ways. I knew I had to be part of it.”

Sonia is now leading the distribution of Rave On For The Avon, aiming to reach wider audiences, from documentary festivals to cinema screens across the UK. Her strategic insight and commitment to the cause make her an invaluable part of the team, helping to grow the film’s impact and bring its urgent message to communities across the country.

Join the Movement!

By contributing to this crowdfunder, you’re not just supporting a film—you’re joining a movement. Together, we can inspire people across the UK to take action, protect our rivers, and create real change through community activism.

Please donate today to help us bring “Rave On For The Avon” to cinemas and build a stronger future for our rivers. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal!

Our Rewards

So many gorgeous local businesses and national brand have supported the preview run of our film and they have continue their generosity by donating their services and products. From massages to coffee bundles, stunning artwork clothes vouchers from to dryrobes to quality spirits, you can receive a reward and donate to our cause!