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WestEnd Films has negotiated a North American deal with Samuel Goldwyn Films on behalf of the filmmakers for the feel-good Christmas comedy “Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint,” which will be released theatrically in the U.S.
and Canada this Christmas.
The deal follows Signature Entertainment’s acquisition of U.K. and Ireland rights during Cannes earlier this year, with a theatrical release also planned for this holiday season.
In addition to North America and the U.K., WestEnd has also sold the film to Spain (Alfa), Portugal (Nos), Bulgaria (Beta) and Israel (United King), and it will continue international sales at Toronto Film Festival.
Directed by Jack Spring (“All Town Aren’t We,” “Three Day Millionaire”) and written by Chris Boyle-McQuarry (“Little Lady”), the film’s ensemble cast includes John Bradley (“Game of Thrones,” “Marry Me,” “Moonfall”), Celia Imrie (“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “Calendar Girls”), Richard E. Grant (“Argylle,” “Saltburn,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Adjoa Andoh (“Bridgerton,” “The Witcher”) and Jim Broadbent (“Paddington,” “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” “Moulin Rouge”).
The cast also includes Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins, Karl Pilkington, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Nigel Planer, Ann Mitchell, Dave Johns, Dustin Demri-Burns, Harriet Webb and rising young actor Beau Thompson.
With a Dickensian twist, “Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint” follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter who despises Christmas. Sentenced to community service at a struggling retirement home, Aubrey is reluctantly drawn into directing a chaotic resident-led production of “A Christmas Carol.” As rehearsals descend into comic mayhem, and with the future of Willow Lodge at risk, Aubrey is forced to confront his own grief and rediscover the unexpected magic of friendship, community and Christmas cheer.
The film is produced by Andy Brunskill (“Sweet Sue,” “Lilting,” “Everything Now”) for SUMS Film & Media alongside Spring’s Shush Films and in association with BYUtv. Damian Jones (“The Iron Lady,” “Goodbye Christopher Robin,” “Rye Lane,” “Belle”) and Paul Grindey (“The Father,” “Bad Apples,” “Rye Lane”) of Viewfinder serve as executive producers, along with Shush’s Andrew Pettit, BYUtv’s Andra Johnson Duke and Wendy Thomas, CPR Entertainment’s Craig Hemmings and Rick Guard, individual EP’s Miles Gooseman, Jessica Gooseman, Steven J. Toll and Randy Jones Toll, Simon Herring and the Warner Group Media’s Mark Warner, Lise Abraham, Simon White and Ian McCulloch.
The deal was negotiated by Maya Amsellem, managing director at WestEnd Films, on behalf of the filmmakers, and Miles Fineburg at Samuel Goldwyn Films.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing ‘Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint’ to audiences this fall. This is the kind of classic heartfelt story that families love for the holiday season – funny, warm and full of surprises right up to the final frame,” said Miles Fineburg, vice president of acquisitions and sales at Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Amsellem said: “ ‘Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint’ has all the ingredients of an enduring festive favorite: a brilliant ensemble cast, genuine warmth, sharp comedy and a moving story about friendship and community. We are delighted to be working once again with Samuel Goldwyn, a long-standing and trusted partner, to bring the film to North American audiences this Christmas.”
