Los Angeles - Hoping to cash in on the worldwide interest in US President Barack Obama, Sony Pictures has snapped up the international distribution rights to a documentary on the ground- breaking politician.

The film follows Obama as he went from a little-known politician to victory in the presidential elections and his inauguration as the country's first African-American president.

The movie, By The People: The Election of Barack Obama, was made by actor Edward Norton's Class 5 Films and enjoyed exclusive access to the politician on the campaign trail.

"This remarkable film gives us a unique behind-the-scenes look at a truly transformative event," said Sony executive Steve Bersch in a press release.

"Obama's election was, clearly, a global event, which people all over the world felt deeply about on both political and emotional levels, producer Norton said. "From the start, it was very important to us to share this film with as broad an international audience as possible."