The novel White Butterflies has touched the hearts of its readers but it's set to do more than that when it hits the big screen in the next few years.

Although author Colin McPhedran is not yet jumping up and down, he said it was great for Shine director Scott Hicks, who has taken an option over the book, to consider it worthy of a movie.

"I suppose that my Buddhist background has made me more happy for the publisher, the Australian National University, and my family," he said.

"I am happy for other people for happiness.

"And since the book came out I have had so many nice letters from people across the world empathising with my story.

"I have revived horrible memories for them but they have thanked me for it and I suppose that's because the book is possibly a closure for them.

"Even people not connected with Burma but European trails have contacted me.

"Running away and fight for survival has no boundaries - so it's a story for all refugees".

Mr McPhedran said he was asked by Mr Hicks to be on the set when the cameras starteds to roll within two years.

"Once they raise money and select actors I will be there to give advice," he said.

The director of Kino Film Company, Mr Hicks has described the novel as one of the most moving stories of endurance and survival in modern Australian literature and said he was pleased to have acquired an option to film it.

"It is dramatic, often harrowing but it's also the story of one man's triumph against the odds," Mr Hicks said.

"To make a new life for himself in a new land and for all he suffered, Colin remained amazingly positive.

"It is the kind of book that enlarges your life and it will made a wonderful film".

Other Hicks films include Snow Falling on Ceders and Hearts in Atlantis.