Eli Manning, Robin Roberts Join Panther Pat Doc Short
Eli Manning and Robin Roberts have joined Panther Pat as executive producers, backing a 12-minute documentary short about the first woman to play professional football.
The attachment was reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Oct. 14, 2026. The film is directed by Ashley Brandon and is qualified for Oscar consideration, meaning it is eligible to be considered for the Academy Awards.
It tells the story of Pat Palinkas. In 1970, she played for the Orlando Panthers in the Atlantic Coast Football League. She entered games as the holder for extra points, placing the ball for her husband Steve Palinkas, the team's kicker.
That is a footnote many fans will not know. The film runs just 12 minutes. It mixes sit-down interviews and archival footage with doll puppetry and stop-motion filmmaking, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Manning and Roberts join a producing team already in place. Mark Mitten, Diane Quon and Kelsey Trainor are also credited as executive producers, a senior backing and support role. Dennis Höhne and Nevo Shinaar are the film's producers.
The short has already built a festival record. It won the Best Documentary Short Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance. It has also screened at Tribeca, Palm Springs International ShortFest, the Florida Film Festival, the Nashville Film Festival, Rooftop Films, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and the Yellow Springs Film Festival.
Next up is New York. Panther Pat will screen at The Paley Museum in New York City on Nov. 9, 2026, with Manning expected to attend.
The two new backers bring football and broadcast profiles. Manning is the former New York Giants quarterback and a two-time Super Bowl champion. Roberts is co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America and president of Rock'n Robin Productions.
What makes this stand out is the distance travelled. A few extra-point holds in 1970 now return as a festival-winning short with major names attached.
