MEP Capital Bows West Side Pictures with 800-Title Library, Partnerships with Magnolia, Abacus (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent New York-based investment firm MEP Capital, which previously acquired the library of Lotus Entertainment, is launching West Side Pictures, a new independent rights management banner.

Along with Lotus Entertainment, MEP also recently acquired the distribution rights to over 500 films and TV shows from Kew Media, including “Line of Duty,” “Thank You For Smoking” and “Jack Taylor and Rules of Engagement.” Now boasting a library comprising more than 800 movies, TV series and documentaries, MEP Capital has signed deals with Magnolia and Abacus Media Rights to handle the distribution of these titles in the U.S.

and internationally, across streamers and TV channels. West Side Pictures will also own and manage ongoing debt and equity participations positions in the late Roger Michell’s “Blackbird” and The Jim Henson Company’s “Portable Door,” among a dozen of productions funded by MEP Capital.

Prior acquisitions consolidated in West Side Pictures include the 58-title library previously managed by Lotus Entertainment, notably “Hachi”, “The Grey”, “Jobs”, “Just Friends;” as well as 11 critically acclaimed indie movies produced by John Hart, such as the Oscar-winning “Boys Don’t Cry” and “You Can Count on Me.” MEP Capital partner Andrew Kotliar said “Magnolia will be primarily focusing on distributing, servicing and merchandising these titles in all rights domestically, including TVOD, SVOD and AVOD.” Abacus Media Rights, the company created by former Kew Media Distribution sales boss Jonathan Ford, will focus on worldwide licensing of these titles.