Novitiate goes to Sony Pictures Classics Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired worldwide rights to Maggie Betts’ Novitiate. The film is writer and director Betts’ feature debut. It recently premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. Starring Margaret Qualley, Julianne Nicholson, Dianna Agron, Morgan Saylor, and Melissa Leo, Novitiate is produced by Carole J.