Missy Franklin/Kara Lynn Joyce Film Reaches Donation Goal, Looks To Debut

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 22. THE swimming documentary “Touch the Wall” has reached its goal of raising $110,000 to continue postproduction on the film, and will now look ahead to a world theatrical debut.

Through the popular Kickstarter website, co-directors Christo Brock and Grant Barbeito set out to raise enough money to continue work on the film, which follows Missy Franklin and Kara Lynn Joyce through their journeys to make the 2012 Olympic swimming team. The deadline to reach the $110,000 goal was 7 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday. On Saturday, the filmmakers reached their goal, and as of today, continue to get donations, with $114,351 in the bank. Instead of simply donating money to the website, visitors would purchase items such as signed shirts or swimming clinics.

Not surprisingly, the filmmakers celebrated with champagne.

“We had a bottle in the cupboard specifically for this occasion,” Brock told Swimming World today. “All the support we've received has been wonderful. People are calling us asking how they can promote the film.”

If the fundraising goal had not been reached, Brock and Barbeito would not have received any of the money donated, per Kickstarter policy. Now, the two are moving rapidly to get the film completed for a theatrical debut. Where and when the film will first be shown to the public has not been decided yet. With plenty of postproduction items to finish — acquiring Olympic footage rights, creating graphics, editing — Brock said the film would likely not be ready until the end of 2013, or early 2014.

In addition to editing the film, finding a distributor will be the next on the list of priorities. The filmmakers are looking for an agency to represent the film and present it to potential theatrical distributors. Having two Olympic stars as the subjects of the film could help, Brock said. Film festivals such as Sundance are not out of the question, either.

Though the Kickstarter campaign is ending Tuesday, the public can still help the film. At the film's official website is a store where items can be bought, and the proceeds will go directly to the film's postproduction.

Watch an interview with Christo Brock on The Morning Swim Show:

The Morning Swim Show could potentially be a part of “Touch the Wall.” See a clip from the film below featuring Joyce announcing her move to Colorado.

Kara arrives in Colorado from Touch the Wall on Vimeo.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use