Give Me the Ball!

Directed by Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff

United States

2026

102 mins

All Ages

The definitive Billie Jean King documentary – revealing her sacrifices and triumphs both off and on the tennis court through interviews and rare archival footage. Sundance 2026.

“Every sport needs a Billie Jean King,” Serena Williams declares in this electrifying film. From the outset of her career, King made the fight for equal pay and respect for women in tennis her driving force. That struggle reached its peak in the infamous Battle of the Sexes match, presented here with gripping intensity. Beyond her brilliance on the court, King speaks with striking honesty about hiding her sexuality and confronting relentless misogyny. Powered by a fierce soundtrack and featuring interviews with Elton John, Rosie Casals, Chris Evert and more, this bold, exhilarating portrait of a true pioneer is directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Liz Garbus (What Happened, Miss Simone?) and Elizabeth Wolff.

“This is a superb biographical doc, a thrilling study of tennis greatness and an inspiring salute to a game-changer in women’s rights and LGBTQ visibility.”

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

Tickets

Sat 6 June 2026, 3:45pm

Past Event

Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 5

Ritz Randwick - Cinema 5

Sun 7 June 2026, 6pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 5

Event George St - Cinema 5

Thu 11 June 2026, 6:15pm

Past Event

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Program Strand
International Documentaries
Year
2026
Classification
All Ages
Country
USA
Language
In English
Director
Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff
Producer
Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Dan Cogan, Chris James, Gentry Kirby
Cinematographer
Thorsten Thielow, Tony Hardmon
Editor
Joshua L. Pearson
Genre
Documentary, Human Rights, Politics, Romance, Music, Women Directors, Biography, History, LGBTQIA+ Films, Women’s Stories, Sport
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
Festival Contact: ESPN

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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