The recent surge at The London Book Fair, which saw an influx of Hollywood producers and executives eagerly seeking their next blockbuster project, highlights a booming trend: the fervent race to adapt literary works into screen masterpieces.
In a realm where original intellectual property (IP) reigns supreme, books provide a lush terrain ripe for cinematic and television adaptation, offering both a proven concept and, often, a ready-made audience. This phenomenon has transformed major book fairs into pivotal arenas for scouting adaptable content, presenting a golden opportunity for MIP Africa to unveil a groundbreaking book-to-screen pitch session this year
Cognisant of the vast untapped potential within African literature, MIP Africa is poised to bridge the divide between African storytellers and the global screen production arena with the Book-to-Screen programme at FAME Week Africa (taking place in Cape Town from 1-7 September) from 2-4 September 2024.
This prestigious event curates a selection of compelling books with strong potential for adaptation into films or series By extending exclusive invitations to publishers and authors, the programme facilitates their presence at FAME Week in Cape Town, offering a dynamic forum to engage with leading African and international producers eager to discover and adapt the latest and most captivating literary IPs.
For film producers, Book-to-Screen is an unparalleled opportunity to explore fresh, literary-based film projects and forge exciting new partnerships. The initiative encompasses a comprehensive schedule of events, including Pitching Sessions, One-to-One Meetings, and a robust lineup of masterclasses, keynotes, and case studies. These sessions are designed to illuminate the latest trends, practices, and key figures in the audiovisual rights market, ensuring participants are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of book-to-screen adaptations.
African Storytelling Beyond the Page
African tales, imbued with rich narratives and a tapestry of cultural backgrounds, represent a reservoir of content ripe for exploration, offering fresh perspectives and narratives to a global viewership. Illustrating the potential of African novels for screen adaptation, Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, have been transformed into powerful cinematic experiences, showcasing the depth and universality of African narratives. The hugely popular Recipes for Love and Murder: A Tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew became a hit TV series for MNET and the success of the Netflix original series Queen Sono reflects an increasing interest in African stories, signifying the continent’s versatility in genre and storytelling. These adaptations are mere examples of the rich storytelling tradition in Africa, ripe for global adaptation.
The undeniable international success of literary adaptations in captivating audiences is evidenced in adaptations like Oppenheimer, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest sweeping up awards, and with TV hits such as Shōgun and One Day enthralling global audiences..
Strategically positioned within Africa’s entertainment ecosystem, MIP Africa is a trade show and conference with a vast network within the film and television sectors with the potential to forge partnerships that propel African stories onto global stages.
“Our book-to-screen pitch session will not only spotlight the richness of African literature but also underscore the continent’s capacity to create compelling narratives that resonate globally, acknowledging the untapped potential of African authors and storytellers in contributing to the global cultural tapestry,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director for FAME Week Africa.
Says Hiller, “MIP Africa’s strategic initiative to link African literature with the screen industry underlines our commitment to fostering cultural exchange and championing African stories on a global stage. MIP Africa’s book-to-screen pitch session will be a cornerstone event for industry professionals eager to uncover the next big screen phenomenon.”
The call for submissions of novels that could be adapted for screen goes live on 8 April 2024 and closes on 3 June 2024. Successful outcomes will be communicated by 22 July 2024.
Writers who own a novel that they would like to put forward to the Book-to-Screen Pitch should email [email protected] or [email protected].
FAME Week Africa, in the host city of Cape Town, is an essential destination for African and global creative professionals and features content sessions, music showcases, film screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. Taking place from 1-7 September 2024, delegates can expect a full programme of conferences and festivals that will gather in a convergence of tech, film, television, animation, and music industries. FAME Week Africa consists of the MIP Africa, Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF), Muziki Africa FAME Film Shorts Festival and FAME After Dark.
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