Derry writer heads to West End premiere of star-studded Christmas film

Directed by Jack Spring, the heartwarming and poignant Christmas comedy drama stars Game of Thrones actor John Bradley alongside Celia Imrie and Richard E. Grant, with a cast that also includes Jim Broadbent, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins, Karl Pilkington and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

The film will open in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on November 6 and has also secured a North American release through Samuel Goldwyn Films.

For Chris, seeing his screenplay make the journey from the page to the big screen with such an ensemble cast has been particularly rewarding.

“It’s really humbling as a writer when actors of that calibre read your script, connect with it and say they want to be part of the film,” he said.

Chris, who is now based in London, has worked across film and television for a number of years, developing projects for companies including DreamWorks, BBC Films, Film4, Kudos and Pathé.

But the imminent cinema release of Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint feels particularly special for the Derry native.

“It’s lovely knowing the film is getting a proper cinema release across the UK and Ireland,” he said. “There’s something really special about seeing a film on the big screen, especially at Christmas.

“I’ve obviously got loads of friends, aunties, uncles and cousins back home in Derry, so I’ll be expecting them to drag themselves and their weans along to the cinema to see it.”

Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint has its world premiere in London’s West End on Monday, November 2, before opening in cinemas on November 6.

Previously Chris’ feature screenplay, The Pilgrimage was nominated for the BBC Tony Doyle award, while fis feature-length TV special, Little Lady, produced by Northern Ireland Screen and ZDF in Europe, gained an audience of over 12 million when broadcast and was the most-watched show on Italian TV on Christmas Day with 4.7 viewers tuning in.

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Swan’s Casket, his action feature about the adventures of a teenage Victorian cat burglar, is in development with Dolphragon Films.

In addition to his own projects Chris has developed projects for Dream Works and Nexus Studios in the United States, BBC Films, Film 4, and Kudos in the UK, and Pathé, ZDF, and RAI in Europe. He also works as a freelance story consultant and has been hired by a number of OSCAR, BAFTA, and IFTA-winning writers, producers, and directors.