AMC Theaters Partners With Fever Productions For Exclusive SMILEY Theatrical Release On October 12

By Daniel Schindel

Well take a look at that. I’m not familiar with Michael Gallagher’s YouTube work, but this image from his new movie SMILEY does more than enough to pique my interest. The plot doesn’t exactly sound that original, but quality always lies in the execution. It’s fascinating how Internet stars are increasingly crossing over to work in the “legitimate” filmmaking world. Stuff like SMILEY is likely a harbinger of what we can expect for the future of movie making.

AMC Theatres® and Fever Productions today announced an exclusive partnership on the national theatrical release of the highly anticipated horror/thriller film SMILEY from director Michael Gallagher (Totally Sketch). Beginning Oct. 12, AMC will exclusively release the film theatrically through its AMC independent platform on 28 screens in 14 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston and Atlanta.  The release will also be supported by a marketing campaign from AMC.

SMILEY, co-written by YouTube sensation Gallagher and Glasgow Phillips (South Park), and produced by Michael Wormser (Some Guy Who Kills People) of Level 10 Films, has an enormous fan base to call on. Gallagher and his YouTube partners on “Totally Sketch,” as well as the other performers in the film including Shane Dawson (Shane Dawson’s TV) and Toby Turner (“The Annoying Orange”), have over 11 million subscribers, 2.2 billion views and 4 million plus fans on Facebook/Twitter combined. The trailer has accumulated over 15 million views since its debut.

The story of the film follows a mentally fragile college student named Ashley (Caitlin Gerard from “Magic Mike” and “The Social Network”) who, after learning of an urban legend in which a mysterious serial killer named “Smiley” can be summoned through the Internet, must decide whether she is losing her mind or becoming Smiley’s next victim. SMILEY also stars Melanie Papalia (“Endgame”) and Andrew James Allen (“Make It or Break It”), with Roger Bart (“Desperate Housewives”), Keith David (“The Thing”) and Liza Weil (“Scandal”) rounding out the cast.

The deal was brokered by Michael Gallagher and Michael Wormser for Fever Productions and Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Vice President of Alternative and Special Content at AMC.

In addition to the AMC release, the film will be available on more traditional platforms including DVD, Blu-Ray, iTunes, Redbox and cable VOD after the traditional theatrical release window has closed.

“We are very proud to partner with AMC through the AMC independent program for the theatrical release of SMILEY. Nikkole and the entire AMC team have been tremendous partners in bringing the film to theaters, all across the nation. SMILEY is a truly independent film and AMC independent has created an unprecedented opportunity for filmmakers like myself to bring their films to mainstream audiences, without a middleman. This exciting partnership gives us the chance to deliver a thrilling, interactive moviegoing experience for the fans, just in time for Halloween,” said director Gallagher.

“We’re excited to partner with Michael Wormser, Michael Gallagher and Fever Productions as we help bring this movie, which continues to gather a growing interest, to a wider audience,” said Denson-Randolph.

Smiley’s Theatrical Markets include:

Atlanta:
AMC Southlake Pavilion 24; AMC Barrett Commons 14

Chicago:
AMC Crestwood 18; AMC Village Crossing 18, AMC Cicero 14

Cincinnati:
AMC Newport on the Levee 20

Columbia, SC:
AMC Dutch Square 14

Houston:
AMC Gulf Pointe 30; AMC Studio 30; AMC Deerbrook 24

Los Angeles:
AMC Ontario Mills 30; AMC Orange 30; AMC Norwalk 20; AMC Universal Citywalk 19; AMC Burbank Town Ctr. 8

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale:
AMC Aventura Mall 24; AMC Sunset Place 24

New York/New Jersey:
AMC Palisades Center 21; AMC Jersey Gardens 20; AMC New Brunswick 18

New York/Manhattan:
AMC Empire 25

Norfolk/Portsmouth/Newport News/Hampton:
AMC Hampton 24; AMC Lynnhaven 18

Philadelphia:
AMC Cherry Hill 24; AMC Neshaminy 24

San Francisco/Oakland-San Jose:
AMC Mercado 20

For updates, subscribe to SMILEY on YouTube: http://bit.ly/smileymovie
Get exclusive behind-the-scenes photos on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smileythemovie
For updates, advanced screenings and more, follow Smiley on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/smileythemovie