The Weinstein Company has paid in the region of $6.5m for US, Canadian and Spanish rights to Stephen Frears’ upcoming Philomena.

Judi Dench plays an Irish woman seeking the son she was forced to give up for adoption and Steve Coogan will play a reporter who helps her.

Philomena is based on Martin Sixsmith’s book The Lost Child Of Philomena Lee.

TWC negotiated the deal in Cannes with Pathé, which represents rights with BBC Films.