Sunrise Films has secured the U.S. rights for “Bonus Track” from Bankside Films, with plans for a theatrical and digital release in October.
The feature directorial debut from Julia Jackman, “Bonus Track” is a coming-of-age queer rom-com written by Mike Gilbert, with a story by Josh O’Connor. The film stars Joe Anders (“1917”) and Samuel Small (“So Awkward”), supported by an ensemble cast including Ray Panthaki, Susan Wokoma, Jack Davenport, Alison Sudol and O’Connor in a cameo role.
Set in 2006 England, the story follows 16-year-old aspiring musician George (Anders), who befriends Max (Small), the son of a famous musical duo, as they prepare for a year-end talent show. Their friendship evolves in unexpected ways.
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“Bonus Track” made its debut at the BFI London Film Festival and was released in the U.K. as a Sky Original film. The film is an Erebus Pictures and Sky production, in association with Lunapark Pictures and Fortune Films. Bankside Films handles international sales.
Sunrise Films is a production and internationally focused distribution company launched byVertigo ReleasingCEO Rupert Preston and chair Nigel Williams.
The company’s production credits include “The Accused” and “Gassed Up.” On the distribution front, Sunrise has released films such as “Beneath the Surface,” “The Girl in the Trunk,” “After Love,” and “Law of Tehran” in the U.S. They recently acquired Luna Carmoon’s Venice winner “Hoard” and the action thriller “Sunray” for U.S. distribution.
Andrew Nerger, head of U.S. and international distribution at Vertigo Releasing, said: “We loved the utterly charming ‘Bonus Track’ from the moment we first screened — its a lovely feel good coming-of-age story full of winning performances and we simply cannot wait to bring it to audiences in the U.S.”
