"Dixie Chicks [ tickets ]: Shut Up and Sing," a documentary that follows the controversial trio from its days as one of music's top-selling acts through the now-infamous anti-George W. Bush comment by singer Natalie Maines, has been picked up for worldwide release by film distributor The Weinstein Company.

As previously reported, the documentary will debut during this September's Toronto International Film Festival, which runs Sept. 7-16. The film is tentatively scheduled for wide release this fall, perhaps shortly before the November US elections, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Shut Up and Sing" follows the backlash after Maines, during a 2003 concert in London, said, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

According to a press release, the film outlines a period in which the Texas-based group's members "were under political attack and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music."

Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein, in a statement, said, "I am extremely proud to be associated with this film because it's not only an outstanding and creative piece of work but it also exposes our responsibilities as Americans to confront our fundamental right to freedom of speech."

The film was co-directed and co-produced by Academy Award-winner Barbra Kopple ("Harlan County USA," "American Dream") and Cecilia Peck.

The Dixie Chicks are in the midst of their "Accidents and Accusations Tour," which supports their platinum-certified album "Taking the Long Way," their first release since Maines' controversial statement.

On previous tours, the Dixie Chicks consistently sold out venues throughout North America. That changed on the band's current tour, when planned shows in several Southern and Midwestern cities were canceled due to soft ticket sales. The group reshuffled its schedule to focus on areas where sales were still strong, including Canada and the Northeastern US.

The group's North American tour is scheduled to resume in late October.