Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Best Man Down. Separately Samuel Goldwyn Films has picked up North America on Somm.

Koda Entertainment financed Best Man Down [pictured], which stars Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine in the story of a married couple who cancel their honeymoon plans after their best man dies at their destination wedding.

Addison Timlin and Frances O’Connor round out the key cast. Ted Koland directed and David Abbitt, Jen Roskind and Sharyn Steele produced.

Magnolia plans a summer release through its Ultra VOD programme after director of acquisitions Peter Van Steemberg negotiated with Preferred Content and Gersh on behalf of the filmmakers.

  • Samuel Goldwyn Films plans to release Jason Wise’s documentary Somm this summer. The story follows four men in the weeks leading up to the Master Sommelier exam.

Jason Wise wrote and directed the A Forgotten Man Films production and produced with Christina Wise and Jackson Myers. William Fowler served as executive producer.

Goldwyn vp and general counsel Ian Puente brokered the deal with Cliff Gilbert-Lurie of Ziffren Brittenham.

  • Film Movement has picked up all North American rights to Kenji Uchida’s screwball comedy Key Of Life and plans a day-and-date theatrical and VoD release.
  • Monterey Media has acquired all US rights from eOne Films International to Anita Doron’s The Lesser Blessed starring Benjamin Bratt and will open theatrically this summer.

Topics