Panaji: The ‘Book to Box Office’ project at the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) Film Bazaar will spotlight 59 submissions that seamlessly transition from the pages of books to the silver screen. This initiative celebrates the marriage of literature and cinema, presenting an exciting array of narratives that could make the leap from the written word to captivating visuals.
“This is a nod to innovation and in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ease of doing business,” said minister for information and broadcasting (I&B), Anurag Singh Thakur, at the Film Bazaar.
Incidentally, Film Bazaar has evolved into South Asia’s largest film market, connecting local filmmakers to global producers and distributors. It is being held at a starred resort in Panaji, on the sidelines of Iffi.
Last year’s Film Bazaar pioneered the Book to Box Office initiative, inviting publishers to pitch their books for potential screen adaptations at the festival. The concept behind it is to bridge the gap between global filmmakers in search of compelling content and the vast reservoir of potential stories harboured by publishing houses and literary agencies. This innovative platform serves to unite Indian and international filmmakers, sales agents, distributors, OTT platforms, producers, financiers, and the literary world.
Last year, Book to Box Office boasted of an impressive line-up of participants, comprising 27 representatives from 21 publishing houses and two literary agencies.
On the sidelines of the event, Thakur inaugurated the Google Arts and Culture Hindi exhibit. This online hub boasts a treasure trove of images and short videos from Hindi films, commemorating the vibrant legacy of Hindi cinema.