Following preview success at film festivals around the world, Sonny and Skye, in partnership with Traverse Media have announced the Irish release of “Songs for Amy”. Premiering in Dublin on 1st May, the film will open in selected IMC Cinemas on 2nd May.
A love story set in the west of Ireland and New York; ‘Songs for Amy’ follows the plight of musician Sean O’Malley (Sean Maguire) as he tries to redeem himself with bride-to-be, Amy (Lorna Anderson), after a debauched stag do. With their relationship and Sean’s future happiness hanging in the balance, his plan is to write the perfect album of songs for her, with the help and hindrance from his misfit band mates.
The independent Irish film was written and produced by Fiona Graham, founder of Sonny and Skye Productions, and directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominated Konrad Begg, whose previous directing credits include Bear Grylls’ “Born Survivor and ‘Crimes that Shook the World’. This is Konrad Begg’s debut feature.
Starring Sean Maguire (Once Upon A Time, LA Blues) in a breakthrough role and Lorna Anderson (Mausam, Silent Witness); the talented ensemble cast are joined by the band-mates Barry Ward (Jimmy’s Hall), Ross Mac Mahon (Hatch) and Ford Kiernan (Still Game, Gangs of New York) with Kevin Ryan (Crossbones) in the role of pop icon, ‘JJ’. The film also features Olywn Boyle (Take Me Out), Gavin Mitchell (You Instead), James Cosmo (Braveheart, Game of Thrones) and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping with the Enemy). Hell-raising rock band, Alabama 3, play themselves in an instrumental role leading Sean astray.
Dubbed ‘the musician’s film’ due to its authentic portrayal of the vibrant Irish music scene; the film’s soundtrack features Ultan Conlon and Jim McKee, Alabama 3, Eleanor Shanley, Tom Paxton, Glen Campbell and Jono McCleery.
“Songs for Amy” has been selected for several festivals including the Newport Beach Festival in California, where it was ranked 4th out of 400 films and won The Jury Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking’. The film has also been selected for screening at the Galway Film Fleadh, 21st Annual Whitaker Saint Louis International Film Festival and the Glasgow Film Festival, where it was the first film to sell out both screenings. The film screened at the Hollywood Film Festival to rave reviews a few months ago.
Like many of today’s Independent films, Sonny and Skye Productions needed to think outside traditional distribuition models. They needed a new approach that would work for them commercially and help them get the film to the widest possible audience. Traverse Media, based in LA, offered the perfect fresh, new approach that Sonny and Skye Productions had been looking for. Traverse and Sonny and Skye have formed a wonderful partnership that will enable this. Jason Tyrrell acquisitions director at Traverse said, “We are truly excited to be bringing American audiences SONGS FOR AMY. It’s got all of the elements that make for a great movie, and we expect film fans everywhere will fall in love with this movie like we did.”
The partnership will be releasing “Songs for Amy” theatrically by way of a crowd-funding campaign to support the promotion of the film. Launching on 20th February, the Indiegogo campaign will help the film reach worldwide audiences with perks available for those who support the campaign ranging from t-shirts, location tours, meeting the cast and everything in-between. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/songs-for-amy-feature-film
