The Film and TV Charity, Entertainment One (eOne), Amblin Partners, Neal Street Productions and New Republic are excited to announce a Royal Film Performance™ of 1917, directed by Sam Mendes and co-written by Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. The event, which will be the World Premiere of the film, will take place in London on 4 December.
At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic‘s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones‘ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers— Blake’s own brother among them. 1917 also features Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, with Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The World Premiere 1917 of will be the 71st Royal Film Performance™ delivered by the charity in its almost 100-year history. It is also the second time the charity has worked with Sam Mendes, who also directed Spectre, which had its world premiere as a Royal Film Performance™ in 2015.
The Royal Film Performance™ is the flagship fundraiser for The Film and TV Charity, an organisation that supports the tens of thousands of people working behind the scenes in the UK’s world-leading film and television industry.
Sam Mendes, director, producer and co-writer of 1917, said:
“I am delighted that the World Premiere of 1917 will take place in my hometown, London, in aid of The Film and TV Charity. I couldn’t have made the film without the skill and dedication of the many talented craftspeople working in the UK industry – the very people who The Film and TV Charity does so much to support on a daily basis. This film is a hugely personal project for me, and it’s an honour to have it chosen as the 71st Royal Film Performance.”
Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film and TV Charity, said:
“It’s fantastic that Sam Mendes, Entertainment One and Amblin Partners have chosen to use the premiere of 1917, filmed in the UK and employing hundreds of highly skilled people in different crafts, to help us shine a light on this extraordinary industry.
“We exist to support the lives and careers of everyone who works behind the scenes in the film and television industry in the UK, without whom we would not be able to tell stories like 1917. When the credits roll and everyone goes home, we’re there, 24/7, helping people to overcome obstacles and reach their potential.
“The funds raised at the Royal Film Performance this year will enable us to develop programmes that improve the mental health support currently available for people within this sector and to run services like our Support Line. We’re incredibly grateful to Entertainment One and Sam Mendes for their support.”
Kezia Williams, Managing Director of Entertainment One UK, said:
“We are delighted that 1917 will debut as the 71st Royal Film Performance and are hugely excited to be hosting the World Premiere in London. It is an honour to have the opportunity to support The Film and TV Charity with their first Royal Film Performance in four years, and we are thrilled to add 1917 to their long list of esteemed films.”
Jeff Small, CEO of Amblin Partners, said:
“We are honoured to support The Film and TV Charity and partner with Entertainment One to present 1917 as the 71st Royal Film Performance. Amblin Partners has a long history of producing film and television in the United Kingdom and the event will showcase not only Sam’s spectacular vision for this story, but also the dedication of thousands of highly skilled workers in the UK, whose commitment ensures that storytelling of this scale makes it to the screen for millions around the world to enjoy.”
The Film and TV Charity was founded as a benevolent fund in the early days of cinema in 1924, six years after the end of the First World War. During nearly a century, the charity has seen huge change within the screen industries and continues to provide financial and emotional support to help with life behind the scenes. Earlier this year The Film and TV Charity launched ground-breaking research to uncover a true picture of the mental health of workers within the sector and is working with the industry to make the UK film and television business a global leader in wellbeing.
1917 will be released beginning 25 December in the US by Universal Pictures continuing around the world in January. The film releases in the UK and Ireland on 10 January 2020. Entertainment One, Universal Pictures and Amblin Partners will distribute the film worldwide.
Tickets for the Royal Film Performanc will go on sale at the beginning of November and will be available via www.filmtvcharity.org.uk