Cornerstone Films is handling sales on the project. Amazon Studios is financing and will distribute in the US.
Maxine Peake leads an ensemble cast in the film, which explores the infamous events of the Peterloo massacre in 1819, when British forces attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester, killing at least 15 people.
The film was a surprise omission from the Cannes official line-up this year and is now hotly-tipped to premiere at Venice in autumn, where Leigh won the Golden Lion in 2004 for Vera Drake. The November release date could potentially tee Peterloo up for an awards season push.
Georgina Lowe produced the project through Thin Man Films, which she runs with Leigh. Gail Egan was executive producer.
Additional financing comes from Film4, which backed development, along with the BFI and Lipsync.