MIFF Opens With Cannes-Bound Oz Film The Sapphires

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has announce its 2012 opening night film: The Sapphires. Based on the play of the same name, the story is set in 1968 and follows an Aboriginal girl-group found by an Irish talent scout and promoted as the Australian answer to The Supremes. In a stroke of marketing luck, it's based on a true story.

The Sapphires will be played by familiar names Deborah Mailman and Jessica Mauboy, with relative newcomers Shari Sebbens (currently on stage in Brisbane for A Hoax at La Boite, coming to Griffin Theatre Co. in July) and Miranda Tapsell. Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids) plays the scout.

The MIFF screening comes straight from its world premiere in Cannes, where it's screening Out Of Competition.

MIFF opens Thursday 2 August and runs to Sunday 19. Its full programme will be announced Wednesday 11 July.

Trailer: