Studio Canal has picked up UK distribution rights to the feature which is being produced by Damian Jones and is co-written by Noel Clarke.

UK sales company Ealing Metro International has added London set sports drama Fast Girls to its Toronto slate.

The feature about a rivalry on the athletics track between two girls from different backgrounds has been scripted by Noel Clarke, Jay Basu and Roy Williams. British producer Damian Jones has developed the project and will produce.

It will be the feature directorial debut of award winning short film-maker (3 Hours) and commercials director Regan Hall.

Studio Canal (formerly Optimum Releasing) has already picked up UK distribution rights for the film, with plans to release ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London.

Pre production is now underway on the project which is being pitched as Streetdance meets Bend It Like Beckham, with shooting planned for November this year in London. Casting is yet to be confirmed.

Will Machin, head of Ealing Metro International, the sales company which is jointly owned by Prescience and Ealing Studios, said there had been a “great response to the script ahead of casting, with distributors responding enthusiastically to the premise. We are really excited to be working with Damian Jones who is one of Britain’s most established and successful producers.”

Ealing Metro’s Toronto slate also includes Jack Black comedy Bailout, to be directed by Michael Winterbottom, coming of age story Very Good Girls starring Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen and Dustin Hoffman and Better Living Through Chemistry with Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Judi Dench.

Title: Fast Girls

Producer: DJ Films Ltd.

Director: Regan Hall

Sales: Ealing Metro International