The book publishing and film producing and financing industries meet again at the second edition of an expanded 37South’s Books at MIFF (BaM) on 24 July 2008 – the first day of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) film co-financing market 37South2008.
More than 20 Australian publishing companies/literary agents/film rights representatives, and over 20 Australian and international film financiers and some 60 Australia/NZ film producers will participate in 37South’s Books at MIFF (BaM).
Participating publishing companies/literary agents include Allen & Unwin, Australian Literary Management, Hachette Livre, HarperCollins, Murdoch’s Pier 9, Penguin, Random House, Scribe Publications, Text Publishing and Wakefield Press.
Returning from last year’s inaugural BaM is the case study panel and public pitching by publishers of titles ripe for screen adaptation. New for BaM in 2008 will be scheduled meetings between publishers and producers and financiers.
Building on 2007’s BaM case study (which examined classic book to screen adaptations by discussing DISGRACE and ROMULUS MY FATHER), this year’s panel examines films whose release pre-dates the book release. Focusing on WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BRENDA HEAN (a MIFF Premiere Fund co-financed title) and SON OF A LION, two films screening in MIFF 2008, the panel will feature representatives from each title from both the film and publishing industries.
Also returning will be the BaM film rights catalogue, listing some 79 book titles which are available for screen adaptation. From this catalogue, the BaM reading panel (comprising film producers Robyn Kershaw, Marian Macgowan, Michael McMahon, Sue Murray and MIFF Chair Claire Dobbin) has selected 11 titles from nine companies that will be pitched publicly by their publisher/literary agent to the attending film producers and financiers.
The selected titles (and companies) are as follows.
DARK ROOTS by Cate Kennedy (Scribe Publications)
ENIGMA by Graeme Base (Penguin/Puffin)
THE SPARE ROOM by Helen Garner (Text Publishing)
THE YEAR OF SUNSHINE by Monica Geti (Calidris Literary Agency)
DANCING BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS by Christine Darcas (Hachette Livre)
SALVATION CREEK by Susan Duncan (Random House)
ADDITION by Toni Jordan (Text Publishing)
BUTTERFLY by Sonya Hartnett (Penguin)
BIRD by Sophie Cunningham (Jenny Darling & Associates)
THE HOUSEHOLD GUIDE TO DYING by Debra Adelaide (Australian Literary Management)
PEELING THE ONION by Wendy Orr (Golvan Arts Management).
“Key parts of Melbourne’s creative industries include both MIFF and the book publishing industry,” said MIFF Chair Claire Dobbin. “So, there can be few better times of the year to bring the film and publishing industries together than at the only Australian film co-financing market to be held at a film festival.”
“The next quality cinema breakout or big budget drama or feature documentary could be sourced from – or become – a book,” added MIFF Premiere Fund & 37South Manager Mark Woods. “That’s why Books at MIFF is an integral part of the expanded 37South2008 screen business offering.”
37South2008 runs 24-27 July 2008 at MIFF, Australia’s oldest and largest film festival.
[release from Limelight PR]