BILL NIGHY-STARRER “500 MILES” SELLS TO TRUE BRIT FOR UK

Beta Cinema has sold UK distribution rights for 500 MILES by BAFTA Award-winning director Morgan Matthews (X+Y, Williams) to True Brit Entertainment, the newly founded independent distribution company lead by Zygi Kamasa, former CEO of Lionsgate UK. Further territories are in final negotiations.

Academy Award nominated Bill Nighy is lined up to star alongside Jojo Rabbit’s Roman Griffin Davis in a thrilling road movie full of heart, wit and wonder. The story follows a broken family forced to come together when sixteen-year-old Finn (Davis) and his livewire younger brother Charlie run away from trouble at home in England to reach their estranged grandfather (Nighy) on Ireland’s stunning and wild west coast. The film is being prepped to shoot in Kerry, Ireland in summer.

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Morgan, David and the brilliant Bill Nighy on this charming and emotional comedy drama. 500 MILES is a terrific example of the kind of quality British and Irish film we want to be supporting. Beautifully written with all the hallmarks of a classic independent movie that can break out theatrically both here in the U.K. and globally. “, states Zygi Kamasa, CEO of True Brit Entertainment.

Beta Cinema’s Thorsten Ritter says, “We are thrilled to be working with Zygi and Nick at True Brit on this film. It is great to feel their passion and have them come in so decisively. They will be a great partner in making the film and making it a success in the UK.”

Producers David Thompson and Alex Gordon state, “We are really excited to be working with Zygi and the True Brit team from the outset of the production and to be one their first releases. Over many years Zygi has proved to be an exceptional distributor and to have a great sense of what can take off in the international market place – and we are delighted to have their backing for 500 MILES.  We are sure that with the full weight of their support our film, with the exceptional talent attached, has a real chance of being a breakthrough hit.” 

500 MILES will be directed by Morgan Matthews, director of acclaimed drama X+Y (A Brilliant Young Mind), starring Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins, and beloved documentary Williams, from a script by award-winning writer Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did, Herself, Ackley Bridge), based on the much-loved novel Charlie and Me by Mark Lowery. 

Bill Nighy was Academy Award nominated for his performance in his recent film Living, another step in a multiple award-winning career including memorable roles in British hits About Time and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The now sixteen-year-old Roman Griffin Davis played the leading role in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit in 2019, earning him a Golden Globe Nomination and Critic’s Choice Award for the Best Young Performer. The film became a box office success and was nominated for six Academy Awards. The standout casting is by casting director Louise Kiely (Banshees of Inisherin, Normal People, The Green Knight). 

Former Head of BBC Film David Thompson (Billy Elliot, Notes on a Scandal, Woman in Gold, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) is producing with Alex Gordon and Keren Misgav Ristvedt for Origin Pictures (Hope Gap, Sense of an Ending, A Brilliant Young Mind), Martina Niland (Once, Sing Street) from Dublin based Port Pictures, and Minnow Films.