Rising screen star Deba Hekmat, who caught the eye of critics for her first lead role in buzzy British indie drama “Last Swim,” has signed with Olivia Bell Management in the U.K.
The Kurdish-British model, actress and writer — who was born in Iran but moved to the U.K. as a child — received acclaim for her performance in Sasha Nathwani’s well-received feature debut, only her second film credit. Set over a hot summer day in London, Hekmat plays a teenage school leaver who leads her friends on a wild adventure across the city that culminates in a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
“Last Swim” opened the Generation 14plus competition at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Crystal Bear and AG Kino Cinema Vision 14Plus Prize.
Hekmat made her film debut with a smaller part in Luna Carmoon’s coming-of-age drama “Hoard,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. Prior to that, she modelled for Vivienne Westwood and Vetements and featured in campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Loveness Lee, Mulberry and the Lee x H&M collection.
Based in London’s Soho, Olivia Bell Management represents a number of names from across television, film, musical theatre and stage. Among its roster of clients are “Top Boy” breakout Micheal Ward, soon to be seen in Ari Aster’s A24 drama “Eddington” alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, and Hannah Dodd, best known for playing Francesca in the Netflix period hit “Bridgerton.”
“Last Swim” — which also premiered at the BFI London Film Festival — is due for release in the U.K. on April 4 with Vertigo Releasing.
