‘Blknws: Terms & Conditions’ Will Premiere at Sundance After ‘Apprentice’ Backer Acquires Film From Participant (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Sundance Film Festival lineup, at the behest of its financiers at Participant Media, the independent movie has a new backer — and will light up snowy Park City with its world premiere after all.

James Shani’s Rich Spirit and BN Media have acquired “Blknws,” buying Participant Media out of all rights in the process, with hopes of selling the film to a new distributor.

Shani’s company is best known for rescuing “The Apprentice,” the controversial Donald Trump biopic, from Kinematics, which is backed by the billionaire former owner of the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder.

Participant, the now-defunct social impact studio, did not immediately respond to request for comment. Director Kahlil Joseph and producer Onye Anyanwu thanked Participant for “their willingness to relinquish ownership of the film, a gesture that allows audiences to finally experience what we’ve spent years crafting alongside so many contributing artists.This moment has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to finally share this with the world.” “Blknws: Terms & Conditions” was set to premiere in this year’s Sundance’s Next program as an official selection.