London-based sales company Lumina Films has sold feature documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad to the UK (Slingshot Studios) and Turkey (Medyavizion).

The Vice Films and VBS.TV project has its European premiere in Berlin's Panorama on Sunday. Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi directed the film, with Monica Hampton producing and Shane E Smith and Spike Jonze executive producing.

Arts Alliance previously struck a deal for US rights with Josh Braun's Submarine Entertainment.

The film documents band Acrassicauda (Black Scorpion) who risk their lives to play heavy metal in Iraq.

The four band members have recently been granted refugee status in Turkey after leaving Iraq.

Lumina's Nina Kolokouri, who handled the Turkish deal, said 'We are delighted Medyavizion are on board as the band still need help, and highlighting their cause in Turkey, their current home, is going to keep them in the public eye and potentially help them further their musical career.'

Slingshot's Elizabeth Draper added: 'This is a really exciting project. The band's story is extraordinary and the opportunity to work with Vice is something we are very much looking forward to'.

Lumina's slate also includes City of Men in Berlinale Generation 14+ and thriller Donkey Punch which has its market premiere at EFM after a recent launch in Sundance.

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