With recent strong openings for family films, the inspiring new movie The Mighty Macs wins over theater operators, earning four times the initial number of screens and increased showings.

Organizations nationwide such as Notre Dame, Rice and Arizona universities have found innovative ways to support the film. With October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the true-life inspiration of the film and one of its featured actresses are cancer survivors. The Mighty Macs is an inspiring, family-friendly sports Cinderella story, which premieres nationwide Oct. 21, 2011, riding a wave of excitement for family films across the country with continued strong showings by such pictures as Courageous and Dolphin Tale.

In a case of life imitating art, The Mighty Macs, an underdog story about the first U.S. women’s basketball championship, is becoming an inspiring underdog story itself. Initially scheduled to premiere on 250 screens nationwide, that count jumped to 1,000–and growing–as theater operators see advance screenings and shared test-audience excitement.

Additionally, across the country various organizations are lining up to support the film, ranging from universities to church groups. “We’re thrilled but not surprised because The Mighty Macs has been touching advance audiences deeply for months,” said Tim Chambers, director, screenwriter and executive produce of his feature debut. “The story of Coach Cathy Rush and her team of non-scholarship athletes entertains, inspires and uplifts. It’s a perfect family film.”

From Quaker Media and Ocean Avenue Entertainment The Mighty Macs tells the inspiring and true story of Hall of Fame Coach Cathy Rush. In 1972, just out of college herself, she took a rag-tag team of overachievers from Immaculata College, a small, all-girls Catholic school, to the first collegiate women’s basketball championship. What they did there is only slightly more incredible than how they got there. Starring Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz and Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn, The Mighty Macs vividly brings to life what can happen when we believe in our dreams.

With October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is a moving story behind the story of The Mighty Macs, as well. Not only is Cathy Rush a cancer survivor, but Katie Hayek, a young featured actress in the film, was diagnosed with cancer the day filming started. With Tim Chambers’ support, Katie continued working on The Mighty Macs through her chemotherapy treatments, turning in a stirring performance as Trish, the Macs’ best player.

In addition to the increased screen count, some theater operators are adding earlier show times to accommodate school groups; other groups are getting on board:
• At prestigious Rice University in Texas, a business professor is using the film to teach sales and marketing techniques as student teams offer discount tickets.
• At Notre Dame University, an exclusive on-campus advance screening led to a commitment by one university administrator to buy out an entire screening of The Mighty Macs when the film opens Oct. 21.
• At the University of Arizona, the women’s basketball team committed to a 150-ticket purchase and to hosting a pre-show event.

“We’re so gratified by the support, but we know these groups will be repaid many times over by the positive message of this G-rated film,” said Chris Bueno, president of Ocean Avenue Entertainment. “The impact of The Mighty Macs is remarkable. For anyone who ever had a dream, this is a must-see film.”

For those interested in “Backing the Macs,” the website offers show times and locations, ticket sales information, group sales information and discounts, and opportunities to support the film locally.

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