After a vigorous bidding process that had multiple studios and distributors eyeing the survival thriller, Gold starring Zac Efron has been sold to Screen Media, Variety has learned.

Susie Porter (Cargo) stars in the film alongside director Anthony Hayes (The Light Between Oceans), who also co-wrote the script with longtime partner Polly Smyth.

Gold is about two men who come upon the largest gold nugget ever discovered while trekking across a remote desert. They devise a plan to safeguard and unearth the gold, requiring one of them to leave and acquire equipment while the other remains behind to protect the discovery… at any cost.

“It is always every filmmaker’s dream to make a film and snag a large North American release for their film, and a bidding war is even more rare,” said Hayes. “It is a testament to our film Gold and to everyone who worked so hard to bring it to life that Screen Media will shepherd this film into cinemas and beyond in North America. It proves the indie film landscape is alive and well and that distributors and audiences alike have a voracious appetite for films made outside the studio system.”

“We cannot wait for audiences to discover ‘Gold’ when it arrives on the big screen next year,” said Screen Media in a statement. “Anthony and Polly have crafted a gritty and unforgettable parable for the pitfalls of the modern world, and Zac is the perfect choice to bring this thrilling and relentless story to life.”

Screen Media’s most recent purchases include the thriller Till Death starring Megan Fox and the mafia thriller The Birthday Cake starring Ewan McGregor.

The survival thriller was shot late last year in South Australia and is currently in post-production.