Irish co-produced comedy/horror feature ‘Stitches’ will be released in Irish cinemas this October after securing UK and Irish distribution
The distribution rights to the movie, which was written and directed by Ireland’s Conor McMahon (Disturbed, Dead Meat), have been bought in a combined deal by UK distribution companies Kaleidoscope Entertainment and Signature Entertainment.
‘Stitches’ had been among 17 Irish titles made available for sale at market at last month’s Cannes International Film Festival.
Speaking to IFTN, Matthew Kreuzer, director of UK home entertainment sales at Kaleidoscope said the company is aiming to screen ‘Stitches’ on 15 screens across Ireland with a view to a release “around Halloween”. The film will receive its UK premiere at the Frightfest festival in London over August 23-27.
Describing the film as “a cross between ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ and ‘The Inbetweeners,’” Kreuzer added: “It’s a great, great movie and very funny. The young Irish cast in it are absolutely fantastic.”
McMahon’s film was shot in Dublin last year and stars stand-up comedian Ross Noble in the lead role. It was co-produced by Dublin-based production companies Fantastic Films and Tailored Films, in partnership with Chicago based production and distribution company MPI media group. Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, John McDonnell and Brendan McCarthy were the film's producers.
The story follows Richard ‘Stitches’ Grindle, a kid’s birthday party clown, who has a fatal accident at the hands of a group of particularly nasty children and who years later comes back to exact his revenge on the now teenagers as one of them celebrates their 16th birthday.
The film also stars teen actor Tommy Knight (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who) alongside young Irish actors Harry Behan and Callum Maloney in their first roles.
Patrick Jordan (Pentecost) was the director of photography on the movie, while other key crew included production designer Ferdia Murphy (Foxes) and make-up artist Terri Pinell (Portrait of a Zombie). Post-production was carried out by Ardmore Sound, Tailored Films and Emc.
‘Stitches’ has received funding from the Irish Film Board, who granted it a €600,000 production loan last year. It also received funding in the latest round of i2i audiovisual funding from MEDIA Europe.
The film is also expected to receive a US theatrical release.
