EXCLUSIVE: Republic Pictures has picked up the Hugh Jackman and Elizabeth Banks narrated documentary Mighty Mary from award-winning filmmaker and Olympian Mary Mazzio and Skydance Sports. The pic chronicles the first all-women’s sailing team to compete for the America’s Cup.

The Mazzio directed docu will make its premiere at the Nantucket Film Festival on June 18 with a special attendance from many of the sailors including Olympians, Round-the-World Sailors and World Champions: Amy Baltzell, Merritt Carey, Sarah Cavanagh, Annie Gardner, Suzette Hauʻoli Smith Gurtler, Merritt Palm Keffer, Diana Klybert, Suzy Leech, Linda Lindquist, Marci Porter Lucier, Lisa Charles McDonald, Joan Touchette Porter and Hannah Swett. AMC Theatres will play Mighty Mary starting on Sept. 11. in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, Detroit, San Diego, Atlanta, San Francisco, Annapolis, Oklahoma City, and Traverse City (MI).

Widely dismissed at the time as a publicity stunt, the women of “Mighty Mary” defied expectations to become legitimate contenders in one of the most demanding competitions in sports. What began with an open call advertisement in The New York Times evolved into a team of world-class and Olympic athletes including Olympic sailors, Olympic rowers, a Native Hawaiian sailor, and trailblazing women athletes from across the country who challenged the deeply entrenched culture of professional sailing.

The documentary follows the team’s journey as they stunned the sailing world by defeating Stars & Stripes, helmed by four-time America’s Cup winner Dennis Conner, before a controversial backroom decision upended that outcome

Produced by Grant Hill (Atlanta Hawks owner and NBA All-Star), Allison Abner (writer for Narcos, The West Wing and Imperfect Women) and Mazzio alongside Skydance Sports, Mighty Marry is also EP’ed by Jackman and Banks.

“Some stories demand to be told — and Mighty Mary is one of them. We are honored to partner with Mary Mazzio, Allison Abner, Grant Hill and Skydance Sports in bringing this film to audiences,” said Sejin Croninger, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions, Paramount Pictures. “It is at once a breathtaking sports documentary and a testament to the women who refused to let the boundaries of their sport define them.”

 “We’re committed to telling stories about athletes and teams whose impact reaches beyond competition, and Mighty Mary is a prime example,” said Lauren Gaffney, Vice President, Unscripted, Skydance Sports. “This film celebrates a pioneering group of women who refused to accept limitations and made sports history. We’re excited to partner with Mary Mazzio and Republic Pictures to share the story of this remarkable journey with audiences nationwide.”

“It’s been a privilege to bring this hidden gem of history to life thanks to an extraordinary collaboration and partnership with Skydance Sports and Republic Pictures who both understood the mission and the spirit of this project,” said Mary Mazzio, director of Mighty Mary and founder of 50 Eggs Films. “The grit and resilience of these athletes is a rousing call to girls and young women about what can be possible in the face of what looks to be impossible.”

Mazzio’s previous documentaries include Underwater Dreams, I Am Jane Doe, A Hero for Daisy, A Most Beautiful Thing, and Bad River, films recognized for driving national conversations and social impact initiatives across education, gender equity and civil rights.

Abner and Mazzio co-wrote Mighty Mary. The pic is also EP’ed by Arthur M. Blank, 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 and Bill Walton, Skydance Sports’ Jesse Sisgold, Jason Reed, Jon Weinbach, Lauren Gaffney along with Alexis Garcia and 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.