Fox Searchlight to Screen Oscar Hopeful In America

In response to the MPAA member-agreed ban on sending VHS or DVD screeners for awards campaigning, Fox Searchlight Pictures has announced that it will host a weekly paid sneaks screening for 5-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan's In America beginning next week and continuing until the national release of the picture on November 26.

Starting October 9, screenings will be held every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Arclight, AMC 14, Sherman Oaks Galleria and Promenade Woodland Hills. The screenings will be open to the public at ticket price and free to AMPAS and guild members with their guild cards. The program will begin in Los Angeles before expanding to other cities across the country.

"This program makes IN AMERICA consistently available on the same night in the same four theaters to members of the academy and the guilds," said Fox Searchlight President Peter Rice. "We have faith that the members will take this unique opportunity to see Jim's beautiful, joyous film and give it the recognition we believe it deserves."

"On the last day of September, I woke up and found out that I'd lost my Christmas presents. Somebody had taken my screeners and I thought to myself how is anybody going to see my movie? My little movie. God's sake this is the most personal film I've ever made. So I rang up Fox Searchlight and said 'help me.' And they did. Now it's up to you, the members of the Guilds. Every Thursday. Independence Day for Independent Film," said Writer/Director Jim Sheridan, (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) whose previous films have won two Academy Awards and received a total of 13 Oscar nominations.

Taken from the pages of their own lives, Jim Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kirsten tell a touching story of a young immigrant family in New York. In America chronicles the lives of the Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) as they emigrate from Ireland to New York City, with their two young daughters (Sarah and Emily Bolger) in tow, in pursuit of a dream. The family uses ingenuity and sheer strength of will to make the most of their new life. Carried by the girls' youthful hope and faith and the kindness of a stranger, the family finds the heart to live and love again.

In America is a semi-autobiographical story written by Sheridan and his filmmaker daughters Naomi and Kirsten Sheridan. The film stars Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou and sisters Sarah Bolger and Emma Bolger in her feature film debut.

Due to its heartwarming family appeal it is opening in select cities for Thanksgiving weekend and is going wide at Christmas.