About this Event
This month, Niaflix shines a spotlight on Learn to Swim, a surrealist romantic drama that follows Toronto jazz musician Dezi Williams as he retreats from his music, his former bandmates, and the relationships that once shaped his life.
Haunted by a tragic loss, Dezi has withdrawn into solitude, finding quiet work repairing instruments while struggling with memories of his former lover, Selma, and the passionate, complicated life they shared through music. When an intrusive new neighbour and the unexpected return of his former bandmates disrupt his isolation, Dezi is forced to confront the grief and unresolved pain he has tried to leave behind.
Blending romance, music, memory, and surrealism, Learn to Swim explores love, loss, friendship, and the ways the past can continue to shape us long after we try to move on.
About the Series:
Niaflix: A Night at the Centre is a monthly film series dedicated to showcasing Black storytelling and the depth of Black artistic expression on screen. Each screening highlights films by Black creators, creating space for audiences to engage with powerful narratives, diverse perspectives, and the creative processes behind them.
For just $5, your ticket goes beyond admission, you are directly supporting Black filmmakers, contributing to the sustainability of the series, and investing in the continued amplification of Black stories in film
About the Director & Writer: Thyrone Tommy
Thyrone is an award-winning filmmaker and an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre’s Directors’ Lab and TIFF Talent Lab. Thyrone’s films have been celebrated internationally at over 30 festivals, including his short Mariner, which premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, won the Lindalee Tracey Award, and was named one of TIFF Canada's Top Ten shorts of the year, before premiering online as a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Event venue & nearby stays
Nia Centre for the Arts, 524 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.