PMA Films: Mighty Mary (with Merritt Carey and Jim Brady)

Directed by Mary Mazzio. 99 minutes (followed by discussion). Not Rated. In English.

This screening is co-presented with Maine Outdoor Film Festival and will be followed by a discussion with Mighty Mary and around-the-world sailor Merritt Carey and Stars & Stripes sailor and Olympic medalist Jim Brady.

Called “thrilling” (Oprah Daily), “an edge of your seat blast” (The Wrap), “inspired” (USAToday), and “brilliant” (PBS Radio), Mighty Mary is 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. The film 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.