A new documentary celebrating the hidden love story of America’s first woman in space will premiere this week at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. And for everyone whose winter travel plans do not include a quick pit stop in Park City, Utah, the film will also be available online for the public.
SALLY, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Cristina Costantini and produced by National Geographic, shines a light on the private life of NASA astronaut Sally Ride, exploring the 27-year relationship she shared with her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. While Ride became an icon as the first American woman to travel to space, her love for O’Shaughnessy remained hidden from the public until Ride’s death in 2012.
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“SALLY is the story of pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, but it’s also a love story about her 27-year-long romance with Tam O’Shaughnessy,” Costantini said in a Sundance-produced “Meet the Artist” video. “It took incredible courage to launch into space, but it took just as much bravery to love who she loved, especially when society wasn’t ready to accept her for it.”
Through rare archival footage and intimate interviews, the documentary digs into the dual pressures Ride faced as a public figure: navigating a male-dominated field rife with sexism while keeping her sexuality private in a society unprepared to accept her truth. The film portrays Ride not only as a trailblazing astronaut but also as a woman deeply in love, whose relationship was a source of strength and sacrifice.
Narrated by O’Shaughnessy, the documentary delves into the couple’s enduring bond, which began with their shared love of tennis and grew into a partnership that weathered decades of secrecy. Their relationship was a cornerstone of Ride’s life, shaping her work and her legacy. Together, they co-founded Sally Ride Science, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
“Cristina Costantini’s rich portrait of astronaut Sally Ride brings a fullness to her life that goes beyond the headlines of her trailblazing voyage past Earth’s atmosphere,” said Basil Tsiokos, Senior Programmer for Nonfiction at the Sundance Institute. “The film skillfully weaves together the private romance she shared with her partner and the professional trajectory of her time in the space program.”
The film also considers the couple’s sacrifices. O’Shaughnessy recounts the pain of living in the shadows as Ride maintained her public persona, a choice born out of both necessity and the cultural climate of the time. “It’s a great privilege to celebrate a love story that couldn’t be told at the time,” Costantini said.
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In addition to O’Shaughnessy’s moving narration, SALLY features interviews with tennis legend Billie Jean King and astronauts Anna Lee Fisher and Kathy Sullivan, who reflect on Ride’s legacy.
The documentary has already garnered accolades, winning the 2025 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize for its portrayal of science and technology. “Sally Ride was a bold pioneer whose legacy continues to inspire new generations of astronauts, scientists, and dreamers,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of scripted content and documentary films at National Geographic. “This documentary honors her groundbreaking achievements and celebrates her love story, which adds a deeply human dimension to her legacy.”
SALLY will debut at the Sundance Film Festival, running from January 23 to February 2, 2025, in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. It will also be available to stream nationwide from January 30 to February 2. Head here for more info.