Olympic Gold Medalists and World Record-Holders Cullen Jones and Lilly King to Attend "When Everyone Swims" World Premiere

Media Contacts:
Heartland Film | Jessica Chapman, Director of Marketing jchapman@heartlandfilm.org | 317-750-3902

OneAmerica Financial | Jim Gavin, Senior Director of External Communications | jim.gavin@oneamerica.com | 317-319-9172

(May 6, 2025) - On Friday, May 9, the OneAmerica Financial Foundation presents the world premiere screening of "When Everyone Swims" in partnership with Heartland Film. The latest documentary from National Emmy award-winning director Jerald B. Harkness is a compilation of inspirational and insightful stories about how people from every walk of life can have a healthy relationship with the water. 

The private world premiere screening is hosted at the IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum. Media are welcome to attend the “blue carpet” experience starting at 6 p.m. for interviews with the film team and cast members, including Olympic gold medalists and world record-holders Cullen Jones and Lilly King. Following the screening, there will be a filmmaker Q&A moderated by CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam.

“When Everyone Swims” is produced and directed by Jerald B. Harkness of Studio Auteur. Executive Producers are Jon Goynshor of Lincolnwoodland Productions, Jerald B. Harkness, Joy Ann Reid, Jason Reid and Adrienne Lopez. Luke Renner of Bird Shine Films serves as Editor and Story Producer. The film’s fiscal partner is Diversity in Aquatics.

The documentary features compelling voices from Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, White, and Asian interviewees of all ages (including Jones and King), along with other accomplished U.S. swimmers Maritza McClendon, Cody Miller and Summer Sanders. Howard University Head Swim Coach Nic Askew, New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay, historian Jeff Wiltse and Indiana University School of Public Health associate Professor, Dr. Bill Ramos also shared their experience and insights in the film.

Through the voices of these athletes, water safety experts, and families who have experienced both triumph and loss, the film explores the essential role of swimming in our lives, the barriers that keep people away from the water, and the movements working to change that. It reveals how something as simple as swim lessons can mean the difference between life and death and why access to water safety education should be a universal right, not a privilege.

It is a story of resilience, determination and the belief that every person, regardless of background or circumstance, should have the opportunity to feel safe in the water.

“Regardless of your age, knowing the basics of water safety could save your life or allow you to aid in saving someone else’s life,” said Kim Thomas, SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at OneAmerica Financial®. “Therefore, it is a privilege for us to leverage the OneAmerica Financial Foundation to invest in a documentary that will not only educate, but hopefully inspire individuals, families and communities to be a part of the change to improve the drowning statistics for children and adults. This is literally life-saving work.”

May is National Water Safety Month. With the summer swim season approaching, water safety is a public health issue that isn’t being talked about enough. “When Everyone Swims” is the catalyst for a movement that sheds light on the often-overlooked intersection of swimming, public safety and social inequality. This is especially important because approximately 11 people die due to drowning every day. Drowning is also the number one cause of injury death following motor vehicle crashes – and the primary cause of death among children ages 1-4. The Research and Education Council Chair for Diversity in Aquatics, Dr. Tiffany M. Quash, is available for interviews leading up to the screening and throughout May to discuss 10 Essential Water Safety Tips.  

Location | The IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum (650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)

Date | Friday, May 9, 2025

World premiere attendees have an opportunity to support water safety by making a donation to the Indy Aquatic Masters’ Adult Learn-to-Swim program. This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving, changing and saving lives through swim education. The program teaches adults aged 18 and older how to become more confident and safe in the water, beginning with the American Red Cross Water Competency skills. To date, they’ve helped over 700 adults in the Indianapolis community learn to swim and increase their water safety. Donations go towards expanding the program to serve more students, providing scholarships for individuals facing financial hardship and cover essential costs like facility rental. Online donations to the Indy Aquatic Masters’ Adult Learn-to-Swim program are accepted here.

Please email Heartland Film's Director of Marketing, Jessica Chapman, at jchapman@heartlandfilm.org if you would like to interview the talent on the "blue carpet," a seat at the world premiere screening or to set up an interview with Dr. Tiffany M. Quash on water safety. 

You can learn more about the film at WhenEveryoneSwims.org. 

The OneAmerica Financial Foundation has a legacy that began in the heart of Indy — and it lives on in the hearts of our associates and the people we’re committed to serving. Through our longstanding leadership, volunteerism and philanthropic giving, we invest in, empower and transform the communities in which we live and work.

Heartland Film is a nonprofit arts organization that runs the 11-day Heartland International Film Festival in October, the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July, the Truly Moving Picture Award and other year-round programs. Based in Indianapolis, Heartland Film was founded in 1991 with the mission to curate, promote and celebrate thoughtful and engaging films. Over the years, Heartland Film has presented $3.5 million in cash prizes – the largest total amount awarded by any film festival in North America – presented 200+ studio films with the Truly Moving Picture Award, and showcased more than 2,000 feature and short films, including 10 Oscar®-winning short film titles. MovieMaker Magazine named both the Indy Shorts and Heartland International Film Festival on the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World list for 2023 and 2024. The 8th Annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival is scheduled for July 22-27, 2025 and the 34th Heartland International Film Festival will run October 9-19, 2025. For more information, www.HeartlandFilm.org.

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