Freida Pinto in French-Israeli movie

Freida Pinto is moving from strength to strength.

The Slumdog Millionaire actress has signed on writer-director Julian Schnabel's (of Oscar-nominated French film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly fame) new film, Miral.

Freida arrived in Israel last week for the film's shoot.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the actress arrived a month early to prepare for her role in Miral, a joint French-Israeli production.

Set in Jerusalem, the movie is about Hind Husseini's effort to set up an orphanage in the city following the creation of the state in 1948. The shoot will begin in April and will be released next year.

Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters