Artists Equity, Hidden Content, UltraBoom Media and Icki Eneo Arlo have joined forces to produce a new documentary titled "Shot in the Dark" that follows the first U.S. Paralympic Blind Soccer team from its inception in 2022 to its ambition of capturing gold at the 2028 Paralympic Games.
A Collaborative Vision
Co‑directors Jay Shapiro and Adam Donald helm a production that brings together a diverse group of executives and creators. The film is being produced by Hidden Content’s Ant Gentile, Jake Wasserman and Gentile, Artists Equity’s Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Kyle Wheeler, UltraBoom Media’s Erik Osterholm, Michael Simkin, Carrie Kaylor and Zach Kazin, as well as Icki Eneo Arlo’s Robert Pattinson and Brighton McCloskey.
Damon, chief creative officer of Artists Equity, says he was awed by the athletes’ extraordinary skill and the trust that underpins their play.
Documenting a Journey
Hidden Content has been filming the squad since their first tryouts in late 2022, working closely with the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). Gentile described the six‑year documentation as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.
The documentary tracks the team through grueling training camps and high‑stakes international tournaments as they climb the world rankings, while also exploring the personal lives of the athletes and what it means to represent the United States as Paralympic competitors.
The Sport Behind the Story
Blind soccer is a five‑against‑five contest in which four players are visually impaired and the goalkeeper has sight, relying on sound, instinct and a deep sense of teamwork. The ball contains bells to guide players, and the sighted goalkeeper uses vocal cues to position themselves, creating a dynamic that demands constant communication and trust among teammates.
Robert Pattinson, who appears in the film, highlighted the thrill and determination of the players, capturing the essence of human striving.
UltraBoom Media’s Erik Osterholm called the story a rare sports narrative that transcends victories and defeats, embodying the spirit of perseverance.