Anthony LaPaglia, Guy Pearce, Kerry Fox, Ryan Corr, Camilla Ah Kin and Craig Stott will star in the film, with production starting in Melbourne on Monday.

Holding The Man is the best-selling memoir by late Australian writer and actor Timothy Conigrave, which tells the story of Conigrave's life and focuses on him meeting and falling in love with his partner of 15 years, John Caleo.

Associate producer and screenwriter Tommy Murphy said he was thrilled with the cast announcement.

"There was a very wide search for these roles," he said.

"I'm still absolutely delighted to already see the chemistry between Craig Stott as John Caleo and Ryan Corr as Tim Conigrave. Already the chemistry between them is absolutely electric and perfect for these roles."

Both LaPaglia and Pearce bring a wealth of international experience between them, including a Golden Globe Award and two Emmy Awards.

Murphy, who is originally from Queanbeyan, adapted the book for stage in 2006, with the show going on to win multiple awards and showing for a limited season in London's West End.

Holding The Man was published a few months after Conigrave's death, and he never got to see his memoir published, nor the stage show that followed.

Murphy said he is excited for the cameras to start rolling.

"I think the time is right for a great new Australian film about a remarkable gay love story," he said.

"All of this preproduction period has been so exciting – we're all raring to go."