An attempt by Qatar-owned film company Miramax to buy Weinstein Co. has complicated plans to sell the studio to a group of investors led by former Obama administration official Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

In November, Contreras-Sweet put together a consortium of investors who offered $275 million for The Weinstein Co.

But Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who co-founded Weinstein Co. in 2005 and own about 46 per cent of the business, have been trying to steer the company toward a deal with Miramax, the Los Angeles Times said.

The Weinstein Company has been looking for a buyer or rescue financing since last autumn as the studio continues to grapple with the fallout of sexual harassment allegations against former co-chairman, Harvey Weinstein, who left the company three months ago.

The company’s investment bankers at Moelis Co have been focussed on an outright sale, rather than a debt restructuring or bankruptcy. On Monday, Killer Content Inc, the movie producer that has partnered with philanthropist Abigail Disney in a consortium vying to acquire the Weinstein Company, said a bankruptcy may be the best way forward for the embattled US film and TV studio.

Both Miramax and Weinstein Co could not be immediately reached for a comment.

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