In a competitive situation, Row K Entertainment (“Row K”) has acquired North American distribution rights to Maude Apatow’s directorial debut feature “Poetic License.” The film, written by Raffi Donatich and starring Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Nico Parker, Martha Kelly, Maisy Stella, Will Price, and Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith, made its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (“TIFF”) in the Special Presentations section.

“Poetic License” follows Liz (Leslie Mann), a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, whose family relocates to a new town for her husband’s job – a place where she doesn’t know a soul. Her quiet attempt to settle in takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the point of tension between two inseparable best friends and college seniors, Sam (Cooper Hoffman) and Ari (Andrew Barth Feldman). As their fierce competition for her attention threatens to upend their lives, Liz is pulled into a tangle of longing, self-discovery, and the intoxicating thrill of being truly seen – forcing her to confront the life she’s built and the one she still craves.

“Poetic License” is Row K’s fourth acquisition since its launch in August, joining Gus Van Sant’s “Dead Man’s Wire” starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino; Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge’s “Charlie Harper” starring Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones; and “Cliffhanger,” a reimagining of the 1993 classic directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James.

“’Poetic License’ quickly emerged as one of the standout titles at TIFF, with its sharp filmmaking, smart script, and the undeniable chemistry of its lead cast, captivating audiences and earning rave reviews from critics,” said MCT Principals and Row K Co-Chairman Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh. “This acquisition continues to establish Row K’s presence in the marketplace, and we’re excited to bring the film to the big screen.”

“What struck us about ‘Poetic License’ is the balance between its laugh-out-loud comedy and its very human observations about growing up – at any age,” said Megan Colligan, President of Row K. “Maude Apatow has announced herself as a filmmaker with a truly distinctive voice, and the energy in that Toronto screening confirmed how much audiences are ready for films like this. It’s a perfect fit for Row K.”

Producers include Judd Apatow and Josh Church for Apatow Productions; Benjamin Hung and Thalia Daniel for August Night (formerly Levantine Films); Maude Apatow and Olivia Rosenbloom for Jewelbox Pictures; and Will Greenfield. Executive Producers include Jamal Daniel, Michelle Upton, Renee Witt, Harrison Kreiss, and Jay Cassidy.

The acquisition was negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers by WME Independent, which is representing global sales rights.

Row K is a new U.S. theatrical distribution company from Media Capital Technologies (“MCT”). Built to meet the growing demands of the modern distribution marketplace, the company focuses on wide release, star-driven, and prestige filmmaker-driven movies with global appeal. Row K takes its name from the seat often considered the best view in the theater, underscoring the company’s commitment to elevating the cinematic experience. CAA Media Finance, which helped ideate Row K, serves as an advisory partner to the company.

Row K recently announced three key leadership roles with Mo Rhim as Chief Revenue Officer, Ben Carlson as Chief Marketing Officer, and Steve Garrett as Head of Distribution and Acquisitions.

About MCT
MCT is a media and entertainment investment company founded in 2019 focused on structured finance, corporate transactions, and venture incubation. The company manages investment vehicles, operates a portfolio of principal investments, and is backed by a range of institutional investors, including MassMutual, which acquired an interest in the company in 2021.

MCT has been Lionsgate’s primary slate co-financing partner since 2023 and has invested in over 20 films with the studio, including “Saw X,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Flight Risk,” and the “John Wick” spinoff “Ballerina.” “The Long Walk” is in theaters now. Upcoming titles include “Good Fortune” and “The Housemaid.”

In early 2025, MCT partnered with iconic filmmaker Eli Roth to launch The Horror Section, a 360 media company focused on building a robust intellectual property library and creating the world’s premier horror brand. Upcoming projects include Roth’s “Ice Cream Man,” which was scooped up by international buyers this year at Cannes and is slated for wide theatrical release in 2026, and “Don’t Go in That House, Bitch!,” with Snoop Dogg on board as a producer as well as writer and performer on the original soundtrack.

MCT and Row K are both represented by CAA.