Universal Pictures accepts award for the best international literary adaptation

Frankfurt, 15 December 2016 – This evening, Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications of Frankfurter Buchmesse hands over the 2016 award for the best international literary adaptation to the Managing Director of Universal Pictures, Paul Steinschulte, and to Distribution Director Uwe Lucas. The prize is awarded for the thriller "Nocturnal Animals", directed by Tom Ford. The American fashion designer and director had also written the screenplay. The film is an adaptation of the novel "Tony and Susan" by Austin Wright, published in Germany by btb. The film will be in German cinemas from 22 December 2016 onwards.

"Book and film cannot be separated. Many great films were based on great novels and short stories, which is why we have been actively supporting the network between the publishing and film industries for several years", says Katja Böhne.

In line with this commitment, Frankfurt Buchmesse initiated the annual award for the best international literary adaptation in 2004. Previous award winners include Todd Haynes (2015), Anton Corbijn (2014), Ziad Doueiri and Joelle Touma (2013), Stephen Daldry (2012), and producer David Heyman (2011).

Paul Steinschulte says: "We are very happy and proud to receive this award from the internationally acclaimed Frankfurter Buchmesse, particularly since Universal Pictures International Germany is also based in Frankfurt. We also express our gratitude on behalf of Tom Ford, the producers and Focus Features for this special award."

Advisory panel for the best international literary adaptation award
This year, Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse, convened a panel of film experts for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s award honouring the best international literary adaptation. Panel members include Leo Barraclough, correspondent for the US-based trade magazine Variety; Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); Beat Glur, Press Spokesman for the Zurich Film Festival; Ulrich Höcherl, Executive Editor-in-chief of the trade publication "Blickpunkt:Film" and Deputy Managing Director of Busch Entertainment Media.

About the Frankfurter Buchmesse
The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair – with over 7,150 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, around 278,000 visitors, over 4,000 events and approximately 10,000 accredited journalists and bloggers - in attendance. It also gathers key players from other media, including the film and games industries. Since 1976, the Book Fair has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. The Frankfurt Book Fair organises the participation of German publishers at around 20 international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. With its Business Club, the Frankfurter Buchmesse offers essential services and an ideal setting for the activities of publishers, entrepreneurs, pioneers, experts and visionaries. The Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association. www.book-fair.com(opens in a new window)

Contact for the media:
Press & Corporate Communications, Frankfurter Buchmesse
Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-138, press@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
Jördis Hille, PR manager, Tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-271, hille@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
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