New York-based distributor Cowboy Pictures has acquired ElliotGreenebaum's comedy Assisted Living, this year's grand jury prizewinner at the Slamdance FilmFestival that also won the jury prize and audience award for best film at the2003 GenArt Film Festival.

Greenebaum's debut featuretells the story of stoner who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a residentat the nursing home where he works. The film stars Michael Bonsignore andMaggie Riley.

"I am very proud to be handling this special film," thecompany's co-president John Vanco, who made the announcement with co-presidentGreg Williams, said in a statement.

"Elliot Greenebaum has constructed a story that handles seriouslife issues in a very powerful way. He has somehow created a film that isirreverent while being dignified, and hilariously entertaining while beingdeeply emotional."

The deal was brokered by Andrew Herwitz and Jared Moshe of TheFilm Sales Company. The law office of Roz Lichter represented the film-makers.

Cowboy Picturesplans a February 2004 theatrical release. The company's credits include AvivaKempner's The Life And Times Of Hank Greenberg, Jem Cohen and Pete Sillen's BenjaminSmoke and David GordonGreen's George Washington.