10:00am Sunday 26th February 2012
By James Tourgout
NOVELIST and presenter Francine Stock has accepted the role of guest director for the Bridport-based From Page to Screen festival. The extravaganza – the country’s only film festival dedicated to the adaptation of books into films – is being staged in Bridport from April 11 to 15.
Francine, who is a novelist, critic and presenter of Radio 4’s The Film Programme, said: “I’m thrilled to be taking this Bridport journey from page to screen.
“Literature continues to be the treasure chest for filmmakers.
“Fiction and non-fiction adaptations still dominate the release schedules.
“Yet a faithful treatment of a beloved book is not enough to create screen excitement.
“As readers, we might feel that we absorb the characters and plots of books but the relationship to film is more volatile – by turns visceral or haunting – and it makes particular demands.”
Organisers have also secured Virgin Media and BAFTA as new partners for the festival.
From Page To Screen was founded in 2009 by Bridport Arts Centre, inspired by the Bridport Prize.
Bridport Arts Centre in collaboration with the Electric Palace cinema will show a wide range of films over five days at the two venues.
Francine will present many of her selected films herself, and will invite other authors and film-makers to take part.
From Page To Screen committee member and director of Bridport Arts Centre Polly Gifford said the festival committee was delighted to have the broadcaster and critic on board.
“This pioneering festival is born out of a passion for film and its links with our literary heritage, and through it we want to inspire people of all ages to read more, watch more films, write and make more films,” she said.
Director of The Electric Palace Gabbrielle Rabbits added: “We are thrilled to be part of this festival once again, especially as the Electric Palace has such a rich cinematic history.”
The festival’s ‘Flash-Film’ competition is now open, giving film-makers the opportunity to adapt the winning stories in the Bridport Prize’s Flash Fiction competition into 30-second films.
For more information and an application form visit frompagetoscreen.org.uk
© Copyright 2001-2013 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bridportnews.co.uk
http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/trade_directory/