The world premiere of the drama 500 Miles took place Friday, February 27th, at the Lighthouse cinema in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Dublin International Film Festival. The film, starring Bill Nighy and Maisie Williams, screened to an audience in the Irish capital.
Directed by Morgan Matthews, 500 Miles is adapted from Mark Lowery’s novel Charlie and Me: 421 Miles From Home. The film follows two brothers, Finn and Charlie, who embark on a journey to reconnect with their estranged grandfather in the west of Ireland. Roman Griffin Davis plays Finn, with Dexter Sol Ansell as Charlie, and Bill Nighy as their grandfather. Maisie Williams, known for her role in Game of Thrones, portrays Cáit, a busker who aids the brothers on their journey.
Nighy, Williams, Clare Dunne, and Michael Socha were among the cast members who attended the premiere, according to reports. The film is a co-production between Origin Pictures, Minnow Films, and Port Pictures, with True Brit Entertainment distributing it. Production began in February 2024, with the script written by Malcolm Campbell.
The story centers on a fractured family dynamic, with Finn and Charlie running away from home while their parents grapple with a divorce. The brothers’ quest to locate their grandfather unfolds against the backdrop of the Irish coastline. Williams’ character, Cáit, provides assistance as they travel from Yorkshire, across land and sea, to the west coast of Ireland.
Critics have described the film as a “big-hearted love letter to Ireland,” particularly to the West Coast region, which serves as a significant setting for the narrative. The film runs for 102 minutes. While a wider release date has not yet been confirmed, the Dublin premiere marks the film’s first public screening.
