The cast of The Sapphires have put aside warm memories of the Cannes Film Festival to focus on the real business of making a hit Australian movie.

Actors enjoyed a police escort and a 10-minute standing ovation during their red carpet welcome in Cannes but say a positive reaction from Australian fans is the priority.

After a round of well-received national screenings in which moviegoers left singing and dancing, The Sapphires made its premiere in Sydney on Wednesday.

Actress Jessica Mauboy said bringing The Sapphires back to Sydney where key scenes were shot was a fitting homecoming following the cast's French adventure.

'We've been on such a high with the film but bringing it home has been the best for all of us,' Mauboy said on the red carpet at Sydney's State Theatre.

'It feels a bit more real and connected here with the film being home grown.'

The Sapphires has already attracted international interest with Oscar magnets The Weinstein Company snapping up distribution rights for the US and other territories.

The feel-good film tells the true story of four Aboriginal women who travelled to Vietnam in the 1960s to perform soul music for US troops.

Australian actresses Deborah Mailman, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell sizzle in lead roles, as does Irishman Chris O'Dowd, who shot to fame in Bridesmaids.

But the undoubted star is Mauboy who soundtracked much of The Sapphires as well as providing the loveable character who lights up the story.

'Playing the lead character there was definitely pressure,' Mauboy confesses.

'I guess coming from such a true heart story it was a bit of a load but I knew I had to step my game up.'

Despite a glittering pop career since appearing on Australian Idol, Mauboy was intimidated by the source music she was asked to cover.

The soundtrack includes testing versions of I Heard It Through The Grapevine and What a Man but the hardest to master was Who's Loving You by The Jackson Five.

The singer says music will always be her first love but the experience of The Sapphires has broadened her palate for future projects following screen roles in Bran Nue Dae and Underbelly.

'The Sapphires has made me a lot more confident and stretched me in a way that I want to do more acting and singing,' Mauboy says.

'It's a whole other level from pop and R'n'B music that I've taken on this journey and I've really found my vocal in a way.'

The Sapphires is released in Australian cinemas on August 9.