The Sundance Channel has acquired the American premiere broadcast rights to If I Should Fall From Grace…The Shane MacGowan Story. This feature length documentary will now be seen on America's most prestigious television outlet for independent films and documentaries. It will debut for the channel’s 16 million viewers on March 17th, 2003, in a primetime evening slot.
In addition, the film has been picked up by M.V.D., one of the largest distributors in North America, for DVD and Home Video release in the U.S. Market next year.
Produced and directed by Sarah Share, the film also continues to receive an outstanding response on the U.S. and Canadian festival circuit from audiences and critics alike. Earlier this year Grace won the Audience Prize at the New York Film Fleadh, was one of the major box-office draws at the Boston Irish Festival and was selected for important festivals in Germany, Spain, Greece and Melbourne, Australia. Following recent screenings in Toronto and Minneapolis, it is next scheduled for The Experience Music Project in Seattle on December 18th.
The Sundance Channel deal was brokered by Doug Zwick of Los Angeles-based Pop Twist Entertainment, who is handling all North American rights on behalf of the producers and Network Ireland Television, the film's international distributor. “This is considered by all parties involved to be a major development for this unique film, which has received well-earned raves from the press on both sides of the Atlantic. The Sundance Channel selected Grace as one of four new titles to help launch their documentary initiative, and plans to put exceptional promotional support behind it.” says Zwick. "It is especially exciting that The Sundance Channel chose to go with our full feature length documentary, although we also have a one-hour television version, for international distribution" said director Share.
If I Should Fall From Grace is an Emdee 2000 Production (in association with TG4 and Bord Scannan Na hEireann/The Irish Film Board,) and was executive produced by Larry Masterson. It was successfully released theatrically in Ireland by Buena Vista International late last year.
An unflinching, music-driven documentary, the film provides deeply moving insight into the life of the legendary Irish artist who, as lead singer and songwriter of the Pogues, has become an Irish rock icon. "The film's appeal in North America, as demonstrated by the Sundance acquisition, reflects the overall attraction that it has had for other broadcasters in major international territories, where further T.V. deals are pending,” said Network Ireland Television's Derry O'Brien. “We are also working on other DVD/H.V. distribution agreements in various markets which we believe will be appreciated and supported by Shane’s dedicated fan base internationally”.
Further information is available from Network Ireland Television
