JPCatholic Announces Official Title for Upcoming Feature, The Pickleball Racket

John Paul the Great Catholic University is excited to unveil the official title and poster for our upcoming feature film, The Pickleball Racket. Formerly known by the working title Pickle for Pickleball, the sports comedy produced by students, faculty, and alumni is targeting a premiere date in December 2026.

Originally pitched and written by JPCatholic alumna Anna Engel (’24), The Pickleball Racket follows disgraced councilwoman Ethel Wilton (Carrie Gibson, Weapons) as she finds herself at the center of a small-town pickleball conspiracy. Convinced that stopping a citywide tournament is the only way to save her community, she teams up with an unlikely group of allies in a comedic battle against the fastest-growing sport in America.

Co-directed by Engel and former faculty member and program director George Simon (BS ‘12, MBA ‘18), the film was shot across San Diego County in summer 2025, with extensive participation from students serving in creative and technical roles throughout production. The project also received support from pickleball industry leader Selkirk Sport during filming.

The title change to The Pickleball Racket reflects the film’s blend of sports comedy, quirky chaos, and small-town intrigue while providing a stronger identity as the movie enters its final stages of post-production.

Poster development began last year by students within the Graphic Design Capstone course, led by Prof. Cristina Weinheimer. Elements produced by Grace Reel (‘25) made substantial appearances in the final poster and accompanying promotional graphics.

The film also marks the culmination of JPCatholic’s Feature Film Program, launched in 2021 to give students hands-on experience creating commercially distributed films alongside faculty mentors. Over the past five years, the program has produced three feature-length projects while providing students with professional credits and real-world production experience. O, Brawling Love! and No Reception are both available to watch on streaming.

Earlier this year, the University announced the launch of its new Impact + Mastery Accelerator Fund (IMA Fund), which will expand opportunities for student-led creative and entrepreneurial projects, including feature films, games, startups, and other cultural initiatives. While The Pickleball Racket will serve as the final faculty-led production within the Feature Film Program, JPCatholic will continue providing feature film experiences through industry partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and support for alumni-driven projects.

Additional details about the December premiere will be announced in the coming months.