Spotlight on Kinvara-based film company

KINVARA-based Sonny & Skye Productions’ first feature film, Songs for Amy, had its world premier on May 1 at the Newport Beach Film Festival, California, which is known for showcasing a diverse collection of both studio and independent films.

Songs for Amy was selected for both the Spotlight on Irish Film and Spotlight on Music categories and the audience response was fantastic, as they rated the film fourth of 400 films. Both of its screenings were sold out and it received the Jury Award for Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking.
Director Konrad Begg said, “It was great to see the film play to an American audience and I was overwhelmed by the response. It couldn’t have gone any better. It’s a great honour to receive the award on behalf of the cast and crew and it’s great to get the recognition from the jury at Newport Beach.”
The film is a darkly comic love story, set in the West of Ireland and New York and is the story of a musician who writes an album for the girl he loves in an attempt to redeem himself. The album takes him on a roller-coaster journey, where he is both helped and hindered by his misfit bandmates.
“The underlying message throughout focuses on the contrast of real original music that comes from the heart versus a more manufactured style. But I hope most people will just relate to the story, have a laugh and enjoy the rather dark humour,” Mr Begg added.
The Irish premiere will be held in July at the Galway Film Fleadh and producer Fiona Graham said she was very excited about showing it on home ground. “Galway is a character in the film, with its culture and its beauty woven into the story. The Galway Film Fleadh was where we wanted to showcase it and the crew were extremely excited about reuniting back on the West of Ireland. It feels like we’re bringing the film home.”
The cast of Songs for Amy includes Sean Maguire and Lorna Anderson while rock band Alabama 3 also have a role. Nick Reynolds of the group says they didn’t have to do much work to get into character. “Basically we’re just playing ourselves. We’re not the good Samaritans, we’re the kind of twisted good Samaritans and most of the film is about picking up the pieces after our intrusions.”