‘BERNIE THE DOLPHIN’ SWIMS TO THE BIG SCREEN WITH
AMBI GROUP, FAIRWAY FILM ALLIANCE AND GRINDSTONE ENTERTAINMENT
Kevin Sorbo, Patrick Muldoon and Lola Sultan to Star in Live-Action Family Feature from AMBI and Fairway Films
Grindstone Entertainment Takes North American Distribution Rights
SOURCE: Rogers & Cowan
Los Angeles, CA – November XX, 2017 – It was revealed today that Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi’s AMBI Group will team with Kirk Harris and Marty Poole’s Fairway Film Alliance to finance and produce a new live-action family feature titled “Bernie the Dolphin,” which will star Lola Sultan (“In Dubious Battle,” “This Beautiful Fantastic”) in the lead role, alongside Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules”, “Andromeda”, and recent directorial hit “Let There Be Light”), Patrick Muldoon (“Melrose Place”, “Starship Troopers”), and Stelio Savante (“Ugly Betty”, “My Super Ex-Girlfriend”).
Kirk Harris will direct “Bernie the Dolphin” from a screenplay written by Terri Emerson and Marty Poole. The Fairway Film Alliance partners (Poole and Harris) will produce the film alongside AMBI principals Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi, as we well as Tony Armer, the Film Commissioner for St. Petersburg Clearwater, FL. Executive producers are Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb with Stelio Savante as associate producer. Lola Sultan is represented by CESD Young Talent, Spotlight Management, and B2B Media. Sultan has appeared in over 20 commercials including the cult Frito-Lay “Trade you” national spot, which has aired more than 15,000 times and has 30M views online. She can be seen next in “Monsters At Large” which is being released in March 2018 by Grindstone/Lions Gate. Patrick Muldoon is represented by Primary Wave Entertainment, and Stelio Savante is represented by Stewart Talent.
AMBI Distribution, the worldwide sales arm of the AMBI Group, introduced the project at the American Film Market (AFM) last week and immediately closed a number of major global distribution deals. Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) Grindstone Entertainment acquired all North American distribution rights on behalf of Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film has currently secured deals in over 25 foreign territories.
The movie setting for this enchanting adventure for the entire family takes place in the fictional and sun-soaked beaches of Sea City, Florida. It is summer break for nine-year old bookworm Holly (Sultan) and her eleven-year old big brother Kevin, both of whom love the ocean, having formed a unique bond with a pod of local dolphins they visit every day. It is here that Holly discovers she has the uncanny ability to talk to the dolphins!
When the kids uncover a secret plan by their dad’s evil boss and Sea City’s greedy mayor that could destroy their beach, they almost drown while attempting to escape. Luckily, the dolphins come to the rescue and save Holly, but in the process, her favorite dolphin is separated from his family. Beached and alone, he is rescued by the Sea City Marine Animal Sanctuary with a very bad sunburn on his back.
With time running out to release Bernie The Dolphin back to his family, Holly and Kevin devise a clever plan to stop the bad guys, protect the sea life, and most important, save their best friend, Bernie!
“Bernie the Dolphin” will shoot on location in St. Petersburg, Florida in January 2018.
Andrea Iervolino said, “We’re very happy to be following up on our recent family film successes with another instant classic, especially one as heartwarming as this and with a strong message to continue to protect our environment. The response from our global distribution partners has been amazing to see. We know this film will find its wide audience on a global scale.”
“Fairway is extremely excited to be producing ‘Bernie The Dolphin’ with our friends at Grindstone and AMBI.” praised Fairway’s Marty Poole. “Combining our lovable star, Bernie, with a stellar cast, Fairway will be filming a fun family adventure story that will resonate with dolphin lovers of all ages!”
Grindstone’s Stan Wertlieb and Barry Brooker agreed that “Dolphins are one of the most beloved mammals on the planet. This dolphin’s tale is going to touch hearts, young and old, around the world. We are excited to be making this film with Fairway Film Alliance and AMBI Group.”