Exploring Literary Worlds: Book-to-Screen Adaptations at KVIFF Industry Days
The KVIFF Industry Days program at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival showcased the Book-to-Screen at KVIFF event, focusing on literary works from Central and Eastern Europe suitable for film or TV adaptations. The goal is to create a platform for dialogue between the film and publishing industries in the region. Eight original literary IPs were presented at the Imperial Spa in the Czech spa town, blending traditional and modern architecture, mirroring the diverse themes of the books.
One of the featured works was "Cupid at the Kremlin Wall" by Aka Morchiladze, a historical drama set in 1930s Georgia during the Stalinist era. Another pitch was "Playing Wolf" by Zuzana Ríhová, a folk horror psychological thriller that explores the dark side of rural life. "The River Odyssey of Kora from Willow Meadow" by Adam Robiński tells the story of a young beaver's journey of personal growth with ecological relevance.
"Queen of Hearts" by Iulian Ciocan is a dystopian satire set in post-communist Chișinău, Moldova, where a corrupt politician seeks redemption. "Aspic Bistro" by Ieva Dumbrytė is a magic-realism satire set in a surreal kitchen environment, offering a glimpse of hope in a harsh world. "The True Way Out" by Patrik Banga is a coming-of-age autobiography reflecting the author's experiences growing up in a Roma community in Prague.
"The Zone" by Daniel Majling is a graphic novel set in post-communist Slovakia, featuring absurd characters and dark humor. "Amadoka" by Sophia Andrukhovych is a historical war novel that combines intimate human stories with the vast historical trauma of Eastern Europe, exploring themes of love, identity, and memory. Each book pitch presented unique and compelling narratives with potential for screen adaptations.