Actor Angelina Jolie has joined upcoming Irish Canadian animated film The Breadwinner as an executive producer.

The film follows Parvana, a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, who digsuises herself as a boy to become the earner of her family after her father is unfairly imprisoned.

It was announced on Tuesday that Jolie’s Jolie Pas Productions joined the team behind the animation.

Jolie said the story highlights the contribution made by young girls growing up in conflict areas.

“Millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution,” she said.

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Canadian author Deborah Ellis and directed by Nora Twomey, the Irish co-director of the Oscar-nominated animation The Secret of Kells. it was developed with support from Telefilm Canada and the Irish Film Board, among others.

The film is being produced by Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon, Aircraft Pictures and Melusine Productions, with producers Tomm Moore and Paul Young of the Cartoon Saloon, Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures, and Stephan Roelants of Melusine Productions.

“I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana,” said Jolie.

The film is currently casting and in pre-production in advance of an August production start and due for completion in early 2017.