Dominic Murphy's Sundance-bound directorial debut White Lightnin' is among the first titles to win a place in the 2009 Panorama section at Berlin.

The story of Appalachian mountain dancer Jesco White, starring Carrie Fisher, newcomer Edward Hogg and Muse Watson earned its place following the Berlinale's December screenings.

Mike Downey, who produced the film with London-based Film And Music Entertainment colleague Sam Taylor, said: "To get be considered good enough for a midnight screening in Sundance was a terrific accolade but for a Berlin invitation to come immediately afterwards was really the icing on the cake."

International sales are being handled by Samantha Horley's company Salt with UK distribution taken by Momentum.

The film was written by Vice Magazine founder Shane Smith and Eddy Moretti.