''Last Swim'' is a 2024 British

coming-of-age film In genre studies, a coming-of-age story is a genre of literature, theatre, film, and video game that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from childhood to adulthood, or "coming of age". Coming-of-age stories tend to emphasize dialogue or interna ...

directed by Sasha Nathwani, and written by Nathwani and Helen Simmons.

Plot

British-Iranian sixth form student Ziba Soofi, who recently aced her A Levels and won a place at

University College London University College London (Trade name, branded as UCL) is a Public university, public research university in London, England. It is a Member institutions of the University of London, member institution of the Federal university, federal Uni ...

(UCL) to study astrophysics, plans to celebrate results day with her friends Shea, Merf, and Tara. However, underneath what should be a joyous day, Ziba has been left depressed by a condition that threatens her future.

Cast

Deba Hekmat Deba Hekmat (born 14 November 2001) is an Iranian-British model, actress, and writer. She began her career in modeling before starring in the film '' Last Swim'' (2024). Early life Hekmat was born in Sardasht, western Iran. She is Kurdish. In 2 ...

as Ziba Soofi * Lydia Fleming as Tara * Denzel Baidoo as Malcolm * Solly McLeod as Shea *

Jay Lycurgo Jay Lycurgo (born 6 February 1998) is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Tim Drake in ''Titans'' (2021–2023), Nathan Byrne in the Netflix series '' The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself'' (2022), and as a gang member in '' The Batman ...

as Merf *

Michelle Greenidge Michelle Denise Greenidge (born 15 June 1969) is a British actress. She is known for portraying the roles of Valerie in the Netflix comedy drama '' After Life'' (2019–2022), Lola Okonedo Akimbo in the BBC Two comedy '' Mandy'' (2020–present ...

as Tonya *

Narges Rashidi Narges Rashidi (; born 1980) is an American-German actress of Iranian descent. Early life Rashidi was born in Tehran, Iran. Her father was an army colonel and her mother is a housewife. She lived in Tehran at the time of the Iran–Iraq War. R ...

as Mona

Production

''Last Swim'' was in development as of 2021 and appeared on Filmarket Hub's 2022 UK Online Pitchbox list.

Campbell Beaton Campbell Beaton is a British producer. About Campbell Beaton is a producer and director. He has made commercials for the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana for Mario Testino. He promos for artists ranging from B ...

produced the film for Pablo & Zeus, alongside Nisha Mullea and Bert Hamelinck for Caviar London.

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as the ...

took place in and around London in May and June 2023.

Release

''Last Swim'' opened the Generation 14plus competition at the

74th Berlin International Film Festival The 74th annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, took place between 15 and 25 February 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o was named the Jury President for the main competition. This ye ...

(Berlinale) where it also won a Crystal Bear and the AG Kino - Gilde - Cinema Vision 14Plus prize. It is set to be released by

Vertigo Releasing Vertigo Films is a British independent TV and Film production company founded in 2002 by Allan Niblo and James Richardson and joined a few years later by current CEO and partner, Jane Moore. The company has produced and distributed over 50 fe ...

in the UK on 4 April 2025, and at a later date in the US.

Accolades

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title 2024 films British-Iranian culture British coming-of-age drama films British teen drama films Films about astronomy Films about depression Films about disability in the United Kingdom Films about friendship Films shot in London