PANZ News

Book rights sales for movies – pitch at Melbourne International Film Festival

 Here’s a close-to-home opportunity to sell worldwide film rights to books which would make film scripts – it is the Melbourne International Film Festival subsidiary MIFF 37⁰ South Market, held from 25–28 July.

PANZ received information from the Festival’s Catriona Mitchell, Senior Coordinator, Books at MIFF & MIFF 37⁰ South Market at the suggestion of Kiwi film and television producer John Barnett of South Pacific Pictures.

“Until now, publishers and literary agents have exhibited individually, and only Australian companies have participated at Books at MIFF (BaM), however it seems the larger publishing houses in Australia have also put forth titles held by their New Zealand counterparts,” said Catriona.

“Spurred by John Barnett’s enthusiasm last year, we are also wondering if independent publishers / literary agents in NZ might find the event valuable, because of the high numbers of Australian and NZ producers (more than 100) who participate each year, all in search of strong source material.

“We put out a call for books for which worldwide film rights are available, and which in the publisher’s / agent’s opinion, would make rich material for the screen. We also provide some simple guidelines to assist the publisher with the assessment as to whether a story would make strong cinematic material.

“On the day of the event itself, we host a ‘live pitching’ to the attending producers and financing guests,” Catriona said. “This is really to whet the producers’ appetites for the material that is provided in our film rights catalogue, which is a compilation of all successful book submissions.”

John Barnett confirmed his enthusiasm for the opportunities offered at MIFF 37⁰ South Market last year. “It is a great way to get options on titles. There was lots of interest over many topics in 2012, and I really think NZ publishers should be there as well as Australians.”

MIFF 37⁰ South Market attracts documentary producers as well as filmmakers, Barnett noted.

Download a brochure here or contact Catriona at catrionabooks@gmail.com.

 

New Frankfurt GOH video online

 
With “Best wishes from (finally) sunny Frankfurt and arohanui,” Karina Goldberg of Frankfurt Book Fair’s Guest of Honour team sent us this short video of some of the onstage moments at the New Zealand pavilion last year.

Karina contacted PANZ to say, “Just a quick note to tell you that we produced a little documentary film on the magic Guest of Honour presentation of New Zealand@Frankfurt 2012. While you were sleeping we watched this film again and again... and watching this video brings a lot of fantastic memories of the amazing time we had with all of you in 2012. So: Thanks again!”

You can view the video at the Frankfurt Book Fair website: www.buchmesse.de/en/guestofhonour/review/