Ten thousand fans petition to get Rupert Grint's unwanted sex-and-drugs movie on to the big screen

It's won rave reviews and could catapult Rupert GrintRupert Grint into the realms of truly adult acting.

But, as it stands, Cherrybomb - the gritty coming-of-age independent film starring the Harry Potter actor - is still looking for a distributor to get it to the big screen.

It has been shown at numerous film festivals after its première at the Berlin Film Festival in February - yet still has not been snapped up.

As concern grows over the future of the movie - which sees Grint appear in a series of steamy sex scenes and taking drugs - a legion of fans have started a petition calling on film distributors to take action.

More than 10,000 people have signed it so far, including 1,338 in the UK and 4,849 in the U.S.

The Cherrybomb Distribution Campaign (www.cherrybombmovie.net/)statement reads: 'Many websites that publish features on Cherrybomb are saturated with comments from movie-goers who are eager to see the film.

'The trailer has captured the attention of both teenagers as well as adults.

'Critics are noticing that Rupert Grint completely shakes off his trademark Ron WeasleyRon Weasley persona from the Harry Potter movies.

'Industry professionals are hailing the great performances by the leading actors, as well as the skillful and impressive direction of the film.'

The film also stars James Nesbitt, newcomers Kimberley Nixon and Robert Sheehan, and is a join directional project from Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn.

Belfast-based Leyburn is known a a designer and music video director and Barros D'Sa as a writer and development executive. They worked together on the 2006 short The 18th Electricity Plan.

Cherrybomb marks the second film from Mark Huffam and Simon Bosanquet's Generator Entertainment.

They have partnered with Belfast-based Michael Casey's Green Park Films, who developed the project with Brian Kirk, and James Flynn's Dublin-based Octagon Films.

The film got another airing at the LA Irish Film Festival last week and as these stills show audiences can expect to see Grint in a role worlds apart from that of boy wizard Ron Weasley.

In one still, the red head is seen being straddled by Nixon, who plays temptress Michelle in the movie, while in another takes drugs with friend Luke.

In the film best friends Malachy (Grint) and Luke (Robert Sheehan) and are finally ready to enjoy their summer.

Yet, when the stunning Michelle (Kimberley Nixon) moves to town unexpectedly, these two best friends soon become worst enemies.

With a resistance to boredom, Michelle seductively encourages a dirty competition for her heart.

What was supposed to have been a chilled-out holiday is transformed into a wild descent into drinking, drugs, sex and a deadly end to the competition.

Earlier this year it was reported that Grint was also enjoying an off-camera love affair with Nixon.

He was reported to have been spending romantic nights with the 24-year-old Cranford actress in her north London home.

But the young actor played down the rumours.