EXCLUSIVE: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Copa 71, a documentary about the pioneering “Unofficial Women’s World Cup” that created a sensation in 1971 but has since been virtually erased from history. Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine (Billie) directed the film, which is executive produced by tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams and soccer star Alex Morgan.
Greenwich plans a summer theatrical release of the documentary, a co-production of New Black Films, Dogwoof, and Westbrook Studios.
“In August 1971, soccer teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium,” notes a synopsis of the film. “The scale of the tournament was monumental: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and crowds of over 100,000 roaring fans turn this historic stadium into a cauldron of noise match after match.”
The synopsis continues, “A fawning media treat the players like rock stars. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the greatest moments in international soccer history. However, this is a tournament unlike anything that’s happened before. The players on the pitch are all women, and you’ve likely never even heard of it. This is Copa 71, the pioneering and unofficial Women’s World Cup. Dismissed by both the leading governing body and domestic soccer associations around the world, this extraordinary event had been sidelined in history, until now.”
Directors Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine attend the 67th BFI London Film Festival.
Joe Maher/Getty Images for BFI
In a statement, co-director James Erskine said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Greenwich to bring this truly remarkable story to the big screen.” Co-director Rachel Ramsey added, “Telling the story of these remarkable female sporting pioneers has been an incredibly emotional journey. We hope it excites audiences as much as it did us to make it.”
Producer Victoria Gregory observed, “Stories like this only come around once or twice in a career. That it has been hidden for fifty years is a complete travesty.”
Copa 71 premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and has screened at BFI London, the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden, AFI Fest in Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Dogwoof, which has been handling international sales of the documentary since TIFF, will release Copa 71 in the U.K. and Ireland on March 8. The film will be opening around the world from spring to early summer in territories including Canada (Sherry Media handling distribution), Australia-New Zealand (Madman), Italy (Fandango), Poland (Against Gravity), and to European networks including Denmark (DR), Norway (NRK), Sweden (SVT), The Netherlands (VPRO), and Belgium (VRT). (Streaming rights have sold for LatAm, Spain and Portugal and Inflight rights for the world except for the U.K. and Australia-New Zealand, which will be handled by Anuvu).
Jannat Gargi, producer and former SVP of Documentaries for Westbrook, said, “From the moment I first heard the director’s pitch, I knew this was a story that had to be told and one that Westbrook Studios must be a part of. It’s an epic tale of fearless young women facing seemingly insurmountable odds, winning hearts and minds at the largest ever sporting event for female athletes. It was game-changing then and, 50 years later, still game-changing, and more relevant than ever. It’s the kind of film we all endeavor to create – inspiring, uplifting, and remarkable while shocking, shameful, and leaves one wondering how an event so momentous could be erased from the record books.”
Copa 71 is produced by Victoria Gregory (Maiden), Jannat Gargi (Summer of Soul), and Anna Godas (Citizen Ashe). Executive producers include Serena Williams (King Richard), Venus Williams (King Richard), Alex Holmes (Maiden), Jon Mone (King Richard), Isha Price (King Richard), Caroline Currier, Oli Harbottle, and Alex Morgan.
Greenwich’s Ed Arentz negotiated the acquisition with Dogwoof’s Ana Vicente on behalf of the filmmakers.