Mighty Mary
Narrated by Elizabeth Banks and Hugh Jackman, directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker (and Olympian) Mary Mazzio, and produced by Mazzio along with Allison Abner (writer for Narcos, West Wing, Imperfect Women) and Atlanta Hawks owner and NBA All-Star, Grant Hill, in partnership with Skydance Sports and Paramount’s Republic Pictures, Mighty Mary chronicles an amazing group of “we eat nails for breakfast” type of women: the first all-women’s sailing team to contend for the famed America’s Cup, the holy grail for one of sport’s most elite and exclusive racing events. This team was groundbreaking, beginning with an advertisement in the New York Times (prompting hilarious responses from a wide swath of Americana who thought they might have what it takes to sail in the America’s Cup, including a woman flexing in a bikini next to a cactus). From there, a group of world class and Olympic sailors as well as Olympic rowers came together, a team which included a deaf sailor, a Native Hawaiian sailor, and the first African American sailor to ever win an America’s Cup race (as a coach of this novice, erstwhile team). What was dismissed as a publicity stunt turned into something unimaginable. This motley crew (sailing aboard Mighty Mary) stunningly eliminated Stars & Stripes from contention, helmed by 4-time America’s Cup winner, Dennis Conner (“Mr. America’s Cup”). However, a secret backroom deal the night before the race upended that result. This is a true underdog story about a team which reshaped what could be possible in a sport that had long been inaccessible. Winner of the Maria Mitchell Visionary Award at the 2026 Nantucket Film Festival, the film will open theatrically across the country on September 11, 2026. And amazingly, on Sept 21, 2026 the America’s Cup itself will usher in the 38th running of the Cup in Naples, Italy with a signature event featuring Mighty Mary.
Mighty Mary is executive produced by Elizabeth Banks, Hugh Jackman, Arthur M. Blank, Grant Hill, Tamia Hill, Sue Wagner, Bryan White, Christine White, Bill Hudson, Laurie M. Tisch, John H. Carlson, Bill McNabb, Katie McNabb, Bruce Herring, Tricia Herring, Dori Walton, Bill Walton, Skydance Sports’ Jesse Sisgold, Jason Reed, Jon Weinbach, Lauren Gaffney along with Alexis Garcia and Allison Abner. Original score is by Grammy-winning producer Shep Crawford. The film is edited by Kyle Farmer, Mary Mazzio and Shondra Burke, with cinematography by Peter Levy and Patrick Ruth.
The film will be distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
