In search of good stories: Book-to-Screen Day at Frankfurter Buchmesse connects filmmakers with the book industry
Book Fair Friday focuses on the topic of film and series adaptations / The programme consists of matchmaking, networking and talks
Which books have potential for film adaptation? What genres and themes are film and series producers looking for? What steps are necessary for a book to find its way onto the screen? On Friday (20 October 2023), this year's Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023) will put the spotlight on the topic of film and series adaptations with the Book-to-Screen Day. Numerous events will give filmmakers access to the international book industry and promote exchange between the various players.
The Book-to-Screen Day will feature a Book Fair tour for international film producers and filmmakers, a matchmaking event curated by Frankfurter Buchmesse and the Berlinale for film producers, publishers and agents, and Comics' Cocktail (a curated comics-to-screen matchmaking event) in the Comic Centre in Hall 6.1. In the Frankfurt Pavilion on the Agora, an event entitled "Neue Geschichten vom Franz” (“New Stories from Franz") will take place in cooperation with the Berlinale Co-Production Market, from 2.00 to 3.00 pm. The host, Syd Atlas, and her guests Anna Zielasko (Senior Rights Manager, Oetinger Publishing), Katharina Posch (Producer, Nikolaus Geyrhalter film production) and Sarah Wassermair (screenwriter) will take a look behind the scenes of the new film adaptation of the children's book by Christiane Nöstlinger. In addition, the Aldus Up Stage in Hall 4.1 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. will focus on the topics of diversity in films and illustrations as well as "Film meets Games". The B3 - Biennale of the Moving Image and the Academy for Children's Media are also organising their own programme of events. The Academy for Children's Media will show how it develops and realises projects for young audiences.
The Book-to-Screen events in the Frankfurt Pavilion and on the Aldus Up-Stage are open to all trade fair visitors. For the other events, the number of participants is limited. Further information and details at buchmesse.de/en(opens in a new window).
The topic of film and series adaptations has long played a special role for Frankfurter Buchmesse as the most important trading centre for rights and licences. Every year in October, the international publishing world comes together in Frankfurt to celebrate good stories. For international filmmakers, this is an opportunity to discover new stories, characters and ideas from all over the world in one place. Frankfurter Buchmesse networks the creative industries and supports the exchange between the publishing and the film and streaming industries so that these stories can be told in a new way.
Even independently of the Book-to-Screen Day, other events on the film theme will take place during the week of the fair. As early as Tuesday, 17 October at 8 p.m., Frankfurter Buchmesse will be partnering the Frankfurt premiere of “Ingeborg Bachmann – Reise in die Wüste” ("Ingeborg Bachmann - Journey into the Desert"). After the screening at the Cinéma Kino, director Margarethe von Trotta and Ina Hartwig (Head of the Department of Culture and Science of the City of Frankfurt) will discuss the Austrian poet and take a look behind the scenes of a major film production with moderator Sandra Kegel (Head of the Feuilleton section of the FAZ newspaper). Tickets are available in advance at the cinema.
The Hessian Film and Cinema Award also returns to the big stage: on Friday evening, 20 October 2023, Minister of Arts and Culture Angela Dorn invites filmmakers, stars and starlets to the award ceremony at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. Annabelle Mandeng and Rainer Ewerrien will be the presenters. The award-winning films will be shown in several cinemas during the book fair weekend. All further information at hessischerfilmpreis.de(opens in a new window).
And already in September, on Tuesday 19 September 2023, from 4 to 5 pm, the digital event "From Book to Screen: Exploring the Film (Rights) Market" will take place at the Frankfurt Rights Meeting. Literary agents Erin P. Hennicke (Booksmart Scouting) and Hannah Vaughn (The Gersh Agency) will explain the path from book to film. Participants will gain insights into both the 'traditional' film rights sales as well as the streaming scene, business models, content requirements and production times.. More information and tickets at buchmesse.de/en(opens in a new window)