EXCLUSIVE: Adam Mason (Blood River, Songbird) has signed to direct documentary Amerigo, which will explore the future of the American Dream as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary in an era of challenges such as wage stagnation and a lack of affordable housing.
Produced in association with South Florida PBS and American Public Television (APT), Amerigo is executive-produced and spearheaded by Emmy Award–winning producer David McCourt, founder and CEO of McCourt Entertainment.
The multimillionaire serial entrepreneur will present, tapping into his own blue collar Boston roots as a third generation American whose grandfather arrived in the U.S. from Galway with all his worldly possessions held in a single box in the late 1800s.
He explores whether the trajectory of his family – which has since produced a number of success stories such as himself and billionaire businessman brother Frank McCourt – would be possible today.
Filmed across all 50 states over two years, the documentary brings together more than 500 unscripted interviews with veterans, teachers, immigrants, artists, and entrepreneurs.
High-profile figures joining the conversation include actress and activist Sophia Bush, financier and philanthropist Michael Milken, internet founder Vint Cerf, award-winning journalist Charlie Sennott, journalist and writer Megan Greenwell (Bad Company) and Irish Pulitzer Prize winning author and poet Paul Muldoon.
McCourt’s past credits include Spike Lee’s Miracle’s Boys for Nickelodeon, PBS’s Reading Rainbow, winner of 26 Daytime Emmys and a Peabody, and the primetime Showtime docuseries What’s Going On?, produced in partnership with the United Nations and featuring Michael Douglas, Angelina Jolie, and Sônia Braga.
“I wanted a director who could merge cinematic vision with emotional truth – someone who’s worked in both film and music, because music plays such an essential role in Amerigo,” said McCourt. “Adam’s storytelling instincts will elevate this into a landmark series as America heads toward its 250th anniversary.”
UK-born director Mason has worked successfully across all formats in his career from music videos to shorts and features
His recent feature credits include pandemic drama Songbird, which was produced by Michael Bay and featured Demi Moore, Sofia Carson, KJ Apa in the cast, while he has shot music videos for the likes of System of a Down, Korn, AFI and Alice in Chains among others.
His writing credits include the 2016 film Misconduct, co-written with longtime collaborator Simon Boyes, which brought Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino together on the big screen.
“Amerigo is more than a documentary, it’s an invitation to listen,” added Mason. “I’ve worked with extraordinary talent around the world, but this project is about everyday Americans. The Dream isn’t dead – it’s waiting to be remembered.”
Amerigo will premiere on South Florida PBS and will be offered to public television stations nationwide through American Public Television (APT) in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
