The Works International has taken on world sales for Rachel Ward's Beautiful Kate.

Ward's feature directorial debut is based on the novel of the same name by Newton Thornburg.

Beautiful Kate is a story of dark family secrets in the Australian outback - told in parallel strands of past and present to reveal the sexual awakenings of three siblings growing up in isolation. It recently wrapped shooting in southern Australia.

The film stars Bryan Brown (here in Toronto with Dean Spanley), Rachel Griffiths, Ben Mendelsohn, Sophie Lowe, Scott O'Donnell and Maeve Dermoday.

Brown also produced with Leah Churchill-Brown (Suburban Mayhem). The project's backers include Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, NSW Film & TV Office and Showtime Australia's Premium Movie Partnership.
Roadshow will release in Australia and New Zealand.

Ward, also an actress best known for The Thorn Birds and Against All Odds, has previously made shorts including The Big House, Blindman's Bluff and Martha's New Coat.

Joy Wong, head of The Works International, said: 'We are thrilled to be representing this powerful, passionate piece from Rachel Ward and to be working with her on her feature length debut.'

The Works International's sales slate also includes another Aussie project, My Year Without Sex, plus Man On Wire, Somers Town, The Market and Good Dick.