It is the latest sale on the film to be secured by UK company Goalpost Film following a successful run at the EFM.

Entertainment One has picked up UK and Irish distribution rights to Wayne Blair’s Aboriginal girl group story The Sapphires from Goalpost Film, following negotiations at the EFM in Berlin.

It is the latest deal to be finalised by Goalpost on the film - which stars Chris O’Dowd - following a raft of sales in Berlin and before, including to eOne for Canada, Diaphana for France, Lev Films for Israel and Hopscotch for Australia.

The Goalpost Pictures Australia production (the sister company of Goalpost Film in London) is set in the late 1960s and inspired by the true story of a group of four Aboriginal soul singers from a remote community who travel to Vietnam to entertain the troops. A stage musical has already been made of the story.

O’Dowd plays the talent scout who spots the performers, who are being played by recording star Jessica Mauboy (Bran Nue Dae), Deborah Mailman (Rabbit-Proof Fence) and newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell.

Written by Keith Thompson and Tony Briggs (based on Briggs’ play), the film is produced by Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne and is currently in post.