Moving Forward with Sally’s Iron Mustangs

Reel Nation Media’s latest documentary film, Sally’s Iron Mustangs, began during a difficult time for me — emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I was feeling stuck, watching my mom struggle with her health, and facing career setbacks. Then one day, I got a message from George — Sally’s husband — about the work she was doing in her community. That conversation led me to Brightside Opportunities Center, where I met Sally Winchell, a 64-year-old bodybuilder from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who had built a group of senior women training together. They called themselves the Iron Mustangs, named after the song Mustang Sally. The moment I met them, I knew this was a story about what real strength looks like later in life.

Sally’s Iron Mustangs had already been filmed, edited, and screened across Pennsylvania, where real people laughed, cried, and saw themselves in these women’s stories. The film was connecting exactly the way it was meant to. Still, everything was on pause because one piece of music hadn’t cleared. It felt like we were asking for permission to tell a story that was already out in the world. Eventually, I understood that we couldn’t keep waiting. The film was finished. The impact was real. So after nearly a year of stalled conversations, I decided to move forward without Mustang Sally and let the film breathe on its own.

The Music Licensing Issue

For months, our team worked to secure the rights to the iconic song “Mustang Sally.” From the very beginning, it was more than just a music choice — it was part of the story’s identity. Sally Winchell and her team, the Iron Mustangs, named themselves after that song. It played in their gym during workouts and competitions, and it carried the humor, drive, and confidence that defined them. Including it in the film felt like a way to honor where their name and spirit came from.

We reached out through the proper channels and submitted a detailed proposal outlining the context of the film, the nonprofit screenings it would support, and our modest distribution plans. Over the following months, we corresponded respectfully with representatives from Springtime Music and their co-publishers, providing all requested information. Communication was always courteous and professional, and at one point, we were told the co-publisher was interested in reviewing our request further. But as weeks turned into months and deadlines approached, we didn’t receive a final decision.

It was an understandably complex process — music licensing often involves multiple rights holders and lengthy review timelines — and we remain grateful for the attention our request received. Still, after nearly a full year of waiting, we had to move forward. The film was complete, fully edited, screened across Pennsylvania, and connecting deeply with audiences. Holding it back indefinitely didn’t feel right for the project, for the team, or for the community who helped bring it to life.

So while we still hope to secure the license in the future and update the film accordingly, we’ve chosen to distribute Sally’s Iron Mustangs as it stands — honoring the same spirit that inspired its name, and carrying that energy forward through Sam Kelly’s original score, which beautifully captures the heart of the story.

Mustang Sally will no longer be in Sally’s Iron Mustangs. It’s a disappointment to say that, but we feel like it’s the right call.

Wilson Pickett Album Mustang Sally

This album contains Wilson Pickett’s rendition of “Mustang Sally.”

Where We Are Now

After months of follow-ups and silence from the publishers, it became clear we couldn’t keep waiting. The film itself was finished — fully edited, color-graded, mixed, and captioned — and it had already been out in the world connecting with people. Over the past year, Sally’s Iron Mustangs has been screened across Pennsylvania in community spaces of every kind: from the vineyards at Armstrong Valley Winery to Ridgeview Farm Brewing, from the cultural center at Willow Valley Communities to the classrooms at Millersville University. Each event carried its own purpose. We raised funds for Meals on Wheels, supported the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry, and partnered with senior centers and wellness groups who saw themselves reflected in the story. Our most proud achievement is helping Bright Side Opportunities Center raise over $30,000 for their Big Give campaign.

Audiences have been deeply personal in their response. Women told us they finally felt seen on screen. Daughters said they were inspired to reach out to their mothers. Health professionals and community leaders called it a conversation starter about aging, resilience, and belonging. The film has already done what it was created to do.

    Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz (left) poses for a photo with George Winchell (right) at the Bright Side Opportunities Center screening of Sally's Iron Mustangs, where over $30,000 was raised during their Big Give campaign.

    Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz (left) poses for a photo with George Winchell (right) at the Bright Side Opportunities Center screening of Sally’s Iron Mustangs, where over $30,000 was raised during their Big Give campaign.

    Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz stands next to the Sally's Iron Mustangs poster at the Penn Cinema screening on November 11th, 2024.

    Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz stands next to the Sally’s Iron Mustangs poster at the Penn Cinema screening on November 11th, 2024.

    What’s Next?

    Over the next few months, here’s what you can expect:

    We’re preparing for our resubmission to film festivals since our last festival run did not feature a finished product. We hope to distribute our film and receive positive reviews, which will help boost our sales and marketing efforts.

    As soon as we can push it out after festivals, Sally’s Iron Mustangs will be available on our website, Vimeo On Demand, and possibly streaming platforms. Ultimately, you can expect to rent or own the film digitally.

    Our timeline is ASAP!

    As of this time, we will not be releasing the film on DVD or Blu-ray. 

    To be notified of the release directly to your email inbox, you can subscribe to the Reel Nation Media Newsletter.

    Sally's Iron Mustangs will be on VOD coming soon!

    We hope to release Sally’s Iron Mustangs on streaming platforms (Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, etc) as well as on our own Vimeo On Demand. 

    Thank you for your support!

    Over the past year, we screened the film at community centers, vineyards, and universities across Pennsylvania. Each time, someone would share a story that reminded us why this film mattered. A woman in Harrisburg told us she was joining a gym. A daughter said she called her mom after watching it. Others said they just appreciated seeing older women portrayed with humor, dignity, and strength.

    Those conversations proved that the film had already done its job. 

    I made this film for my mother, and for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to change something about their life. It’s not. You start where you are and keep moving forward. That’s the spirit of Sally, the Iron Mustangs.

    If you’ve been following this journey, I just want to say: thank you. Your support — your presence at screenings, your donations, your words of encouragement — has helped carry us through.

    If you’d like to host a screening, support our campaign, or simply watch the film when it’s released — you can visit: www.reelnationmedia.com/sallysironmustangs

    You can also follow our journey on social media and help us share the message that strength has no age.

    Thank you for believing in this film. We’re moving forward — and I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

    Keep it Reel!

    — Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz