Icon Entertainment International has acquired worldwide sales rights to Oranges And Sunshine starring Emily Watson, Hugo Weaving and David Wenham.

Icon is introducing buyers at Cannes to the drama about a social worker who takes on the authorities after she uncovers a scandal leading to the forced migration of children from the United Kingdom to Australia.

The UK’s Jim Loach, who has a raft of TV directing credits to his name, will make his feature directing debut. Rona Munro wrote the script.

Camilla Bray of Sixteen Films and Emile Sherman and Iain Canning of See-Saw Films are producing. Shooting of the $4.5 million production will start in autumn.

Icon’s slate will also include market debut Coriolanus, which will see Ralph Fiennes produce, direct and star.