Bleecker Street Media acquired by Outerlight Entertainment

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Outerlight Entertainment, formerly known as First Look Entertainment today, has acquired Bleecker Street Media.

The acquisition provides Bleecker Street with long-term capital and additional represident and chief marketing officer Tyler DiNapoli will continue to lead the company

Bleecker Street will continue to operate independently, managing its slate, acquisitions, distribution strategy, marketing, filmmaker relationships and day-to-day operations. The backing of Outerlight will enable it to increase its investment in its film business and expand new growth initiatives, including its event cinema label Crosswalk.

Founded in 2014 by the late Andrew Karpen, Bleecker Street will remain an active buyer and distributor in the marketplace, and its current slate. Its existing commitments will continue without disruption. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Bleecker Street is growing, and our ambition is to continue scaling the company while staying true to what has always made us distinctive,” Sanderson said. “Outerlight shares our belief in the power of cinema and the importance of theatrical moviegoing, and its long-term backing gives us additional capacity to pursue the opportunities we see across our core film business as well as compelling new avenues in the film space. We’re excited about what we can build from here.”

Bleecker Street has stepped up in recent years with a heavier focus on pre-buys and major releases. Its heavyweight 2026 slate puts it squarely in the awards conversation and includes Alex Gibney’s in-release documentary Musk; Guy Nattiv’s cult thriller The Liberation starring Carrie Coon; imminent release A Talent For Murder starring Helen Mirren; Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care; and Zachary Wigon’sVictorian Psycho starring Maika Monroe.

Crosswalk recently released Hadestown: The Musical and the film grossed more than $20m during a limited theatrical run to become the highest-grossing live theater capture to date. It also released concert film Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience earlier in the year, which was the number one film worldwide in its opening weekend, and has George Michael: The Faith Tour opening in December.

First Look Entertainment’s rebrand to Outerlight Entertainment marks the next phase in the evolution of the company, which focused on premium film, television, documentary, and streaming. It owns and supports a select group of companies including Topic Studios and Puzzle Pictures and is backed by “long-term capital”.

Bleecker Street Media was advised on the transaction by Sandy Climan of Entertainment Media Ventures and Matthew Wilkens of 44 Greenwich. Pryor Cashman represented Outerlight Entertainment.

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